Responding to Drug Use in the Nighttime Economy

About 

Please Note: We run three different courses; Drugs Awareness, Responding to Drug Use at Outdoor Events and Music Festivals, and Responding to Drug Use in the Nighttime Economy, which have a similar core content but have a slightly different focus.  Please check the course content if you have booked a similar course before. 

Responding to Drug Use in the Nighttime Economy is a one-day training course delivered by The Loop. The course is interactive and our trainers have front line understanding and experience in relation to nightlife drug use and harm reduction, drawing on professional training qualifications and many years of experience in delivery. 

Our courses are informed by The Loop’s regular healthcare interventions, research and drug testing services, which identify current drug market trends and related issues. This training will be informed by the latest findings from Drug Checking Services, such as The Loop Drug Checking Service. 

Who is this course for? 

This course is designed for anyone working in the NTE, such as: event management and their teams, medical staff, security, welfare teams, stewards, promoters, DJ's and musicians, as well as anyone who wants to better understand how to reduce drug related harm in the NTE, such as police officers, public health, licensing departments and wider NHS/health staff. 

Aim of the course 

To support participants to ensure the safety of people using the nighttime economy, in relation to drug-related harm, including harm to others such as sexual assault or spiking. 

Learning outcomes 

• Introduction to core terminology in the field, including terms such as ‘recreational’ and ‘problematic’ drug use. 

• Exploring why people take drugs 

• Understanding the effects and risks of the use of drugs commonly used in the NTE. 

• Examining the scope of current legislation, policy, and practice relating to drugs. 

• Identifying the range of drug-related problems faced by staff organising and working in the NTE. 

• Identifying a range of appropriate harm reduction measures to prevent and respond to drug-related problems. 

Overview of course content 

• Introduction to the philosophy of ‘harm reduction’. 

• What are drugs and why do people take them. 

• Current drug trends in the UK. 

• Drugs awareness and introduction to the Club Drug Wheel. 

• Drug legislation. 

• Legal and illegal drugs commonly used. 

• Common drug-related problems faced by staff in the NTE and specific harm reduction responses. 

• Spiking and drug facilitated sexual assault. 

• Dealing with a major incident (interactive case study). 

Questions, queries and follow up support 

If you have any questions about the training, please drop us an email on training@wearetheloop.org. For those of you who attend the training, we will be happy to offer follow up support and signpost you to further resources.