Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 45
45
Rejected
Paragraph: 163
Expand on-site drug checking services and establish a dedicated licensing scheme for temporary events.
Recommendation
We recommend the expansion of on-site drug checking services at temporary events such as music festivals and within the night-time economy. We recommend that the Home Office establish a dedicated licensing scheme for drug checking at such events before the start of the summer 2024 festival season. The scheme must devolve the power to grant licences to local authorities.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government rejected the recommendation to expand on-site drug checking services and establish a licensing scheme, arguing such services imply approval of illicit drug use and conflict with their zero-tolerance strategy.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
163
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government · verbatim extract
Rejected
The Government does not accept this recommendation. The Government recognises the potential harm reduction benefits of back-of- house drug checking facilities (DCFs) within the context of these types of events. Back of house DCFs are those which test surrendered or confiscated drugs, but do not return the drugs to the individual or give individualised information on the content of the drugs. Instead, they enable localised public alerts if toxic or extremely dangerous drugs are detected to avoid sending a message that taking any illegal drug can be safe. Organisations wishing to deliver back-of-house DCFs have always been able to apply for a licence and we would encourage them to plan ahead to ensure that there is time to apply for a licence in good time for the festival season next year. There are no plans to offer a dedicated licensing scheme or devolve the regulatory function of the Home Office to issue controlled drug licences for DCFs. The Home Office is the overall departmental lead for the Misuse of Drugs Act and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. The Home Office therefore has the regulatory responsibility and the expertise to ensure that all applications for controlled drug licences are assessed fairly and in line with legislation. To perform this role effectively, it is important the Home Office retains control of all applications for controlled drug licences. The Home Office manages approximately 2500 applications for controlled drug licences per year, the purposes of which vary considerably and are not confined to applications for DCFs. There is therefore an extant controlled drug licensing framework and applications will be granted where they are in line with Government policy. We recommend that the Government work with local authorities and health partners to ensure that people receive appropriate psychosocial support in addition to their opioid substitution treatment and ensure that they can continue to access opioid substitution treatment at a pace that meets their needs.
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