Multi agency partners urge RockNess revellers to not let alcohol or drug use ruin their weekend

Issued by the Highlands & Islands Strategic Co-ordinating Group

With just days away until RockNess 2013, multi agency partners are encouraging festival attendees to make sensible choices about alcohol and drugs in order to avoid ruining their weekend, or worse, affecting their health or overdosing.
 
Highland Alcohol and Drug Partnership along with Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service met at the RockNess site, where the preparation is well underway for the event later this week, to encourage attendees to make sensible choices about alcohol and drugs.

Last year Police carried out 235 positive drugs searches over the weekend and dealt with six people for alleged drug dealing offences, Superintendent Stevie Mackay said: "We will continue to take a robust, proactive approach to those taking drugs to the event, especially those with dealing quantities. Work has been ongoing in the weeks leading up to Rockness to stem the supply of drugs and target those individuals who plan to distribute at the event.

Deborah Stewart, who is Coordinator for the Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, said festival goers should remember to drink plenty of water, to eat well and to avoid taking unnecessary risks when it comes to alcohol and drugs.

She said: "We want people attending RockNess to enjoy themselves but we also want to help them do so safely. It's easy to get carried away by the atmosphere. However, if you over-indulge in alcohol you could end up in the field hospital and miss the event altogether, which is not only disappointing but costly.

"It's important to eat before you start drinking and while you're drinking and to pace yourself by drinking soft drink spacers, particularly water, to keep you hydrated.

"Stay with friends and make sure you keep yourselves safe. It's also important to keep warm as you don't notice how cold you get when you've been drinking."

Deborah also urged festival goers to avoid street drugs and she pointed out that over-indulging could prove fatal. Cocaine and amphetamine can put pressure on your heart and ecstasy can sometimes lead to heatstroke. ‘Legal highs’ or New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) that are designed to mimic illegal drugs contain lots of different substances that often change in combination and strength, meaning the effects can vary. They may also contain substances that are actually illegal to possess.

"We urge festival goers to be aware that combining alcohol and drugs is particularly risky for causing overdoses.  If you are unable to avoid taking drugs, then try not to drink alcohol at the same time. You should at least let a close and reliable friend know what you've taken so that, if you need medical help, we have a clear picture of what's going on and how best to help you.
So remember, "If you or your friends have taken something and start to feel unwell please seek medical help immediately.

"We will be taking part in an online Facebook chat tonight with Police and encourage anyone who has questions to ask them during this forum."

Superintendent Stevie Mackay said: "Many Psychoactive Substances, commonly referred to as "legal highs” are often found to contain illegal substances when they are submitted for testing. These substances can be seized for testing and anyone found entering the event or attempting to distribute these items at the event could face ejection and prosecution."

Partners recognise that over consumption of alcohol can have serious impact on individuals health and safety as well. Last year the Fire Service dealt with six tent fires within the camping areas over the duration. Station Manager David McDiarmid for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: "Six fires are six too many. Any one of these could have injured occupants or those in the vicinity, not to mention the risk of them spreading.

"Over consumption of alcohol has a large part to play in the ignition of such fires so make sure you are not smoking in or close to a tent, only lighting barbeques in the designated areas and if you don't want to pack your tent up at the end of the event, leave it for safe disposal."

Deborah Stewart furthered: "Drinking too much alcohol has the potential to ruin the event for you and your friends as you not only become more vulnerable you are more likely to make poor choices with your health and safety, after buying your ticket and getting excited on the build up to the event, the last thing you want to do is spoil it by not pacing yourself.

"Make sure you eat before and during drinking throughout the weekend and make sure you have regular breaks, but alternating water with alcohol...try a spacer instead of a chaser."

The Facebook chat event will be hosted tonight on the front page of the Police Scotland, Highland and Islands Division page between 18:00-19:30 hours with representation from both Police and NHS.