Preventing harm from alcohol at festivals

The following guidance aims to complement existing measures to address the possible negative consequences that can arise from alcohol use.

Festival organisers should familiarise themselves with the law in relation to alcohol and have in place an appropriate alcohol policy and risk mitigation measures
This should include processes that will support drunk, vulnerable, or incapacitated attendees to get help and/or get home.

Prior to the festival provide ‘responsible service of alcohol courses’ to staff and volunteers that cover the following topics

alcohol and its effects
responsible sale of alcohol
preventing and managing drunkenness
alcohol and the law
how to recognise individuals who are vulnerable or distressed through alcohol use
Provide training sessions for staff and volunteers along with an information pack that includes a map and tour of the festival area depicting areas where alcohol will be sold and served and the alcohol-free area

Throughout the festival for proof of age and display of Challenge 25 posters

proof of age to be requested before sales of alcohol to anyone appearing to be under the age of 25 (Challenge 25 scheme)
display of Challenge 25 posters are recommended as a best practice measure

Throughout the festival

provision of plentiful, free access to drinking water at multiple locations without long queuing in direct sunlight
bottled water to be distributed by the welfare team
health promotion materials highlighting the importance of proper hydration
provision of shaded, quieter or cooler ‘chill out’ areas across the site and away from busy areas and alcohol sales points. Such spaces should be overseen by event security and be visited regularly by roaming welfare outreach workers.
provision of Welfare Provision overseen and coordinated by a specialist and experienced welfare provider with effective co-ordination across event control, medical services, stewards and security
welfare volunteers can help with information gathering and providing psychological support and are well placed to provide harm reduction advice and liaise with the onsite medical team

Prior to the festival

there are a host of factors to take into account when determining the appropriate level of medical provision for events
the SAG plays an important role in considering these factors and offering advice to event organisers as to whether their planned provision is adequate based on the risk assessment of the event
levels of staff training to include advanced life support qualifications

Prior to the festival

festival organisers should take steps to ensure harm reduction information is widely promoted before and during the festival
all staff should receive training in how to recognise and respond to drug and alcohol related harm and distress

Throughout the festival

harm reduction advice should include information about the effects of mixing alcohol with drugs, alternating alcohol drinks with soft drinks or low alcohol alternatives, risks of spiking and advice of not leaving drinks unattended or accepting drinks from a stranger, amount of time it takes alcohol to leave the body if driving
create alcohol free areas away from those serving alcohol but close to main events
consider maximum ABV for beers and ciders set at 5% and offer non/low alcohol alternatives
avoid promotional sales of alcohol
plastic glasses should be used in place of glass

Throughout the festival

the safety of anyone under the influence of drink or drugs must be at the forefront of any consideration about whether to remove them from the event - it may be more appropriate and less risky to move them to the welfare or onsite medical area.
anyone who presents with signs of a serious alcohol-related illness, should be transferred as quickly and safely as possible to the onsite medical area for assessment
if the health of anyone under the care of the welfare service deteriorates there should be an agreed, clear, and effective handover protocol between welfare and medical teams
those attending events may need support for mental health issues, compounded at events taking place over several days or where individuals may be deprived of sleep or have used psychoactive drugs over a sustained period and may be experiencing an emotional episode or feeling disorientated

Prior to the festival and throughout

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