UK - T in the Park fans warned over drugs crackdown

[edgarshade]

Scotsman

By FRANK URQUHART
Published on 09/07/2013 11:46

With reader comment

POLICE Scotland today warned music fans, set to begin their annual pilgrimage to T in the Park, that the new national force is set to crackdown on drug taking at the Balado festival site.

And the force has also warned revellers that so called “legal highs” will also be banned from the festival site to prevent fans “gambling with their lives” at the star-studded event where T in the Park will be celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Around 85,000 music fans are expected to attend this year’s festival where the line-up includes Rihanna, The Killers, Mumford and Sons, The View, Deacon Blue, Travis, and Emeli Sande. Superintendent Rick Dunkerley, Event Commander for T in the Park, today called on all revellers to have fun - but keep themselves safe. He said: “Our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities, including the community that gathers for the weekend at T in the Park. We want people to have fun and enjoy what is sure to be another excellent festival. ‘‘At the same time we want them to look after themselves, have respect for others and be mindful that what is against the law in Scotland is also against the law within any festival venue on Scotland.’’

He warned: “Drugs are illegal and Police Scotland adopts the same pro-active approach to the dealing and misuse of drugs across the country, no matter where it happens and no matter what the occasion or venue. Police Scotland will take action against drugs dealers and drugs misuse. “ If you are caught with drugs you will not only have to deal with the legal consequences of your actions, you will also find that the money paid out for a concert or festival ticket was money wasted – and that’s often a very significant amount of cash.”

More...
http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/m...rk-fans-warned-over-drugs-crackdown-1-2994361


Reader comment

Al Swearengen
12:19 PM on 09/07/2013

What an efficient way to ensure anyone experiencing a life threatening reaction to a right of passage is petrified to seek help.

 

[poledriver]

Our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities

That's nice, then you wont mind if some nice HR people set up a pill testing tent at the event?

 

[LuGoJ]

That's nice, then you wont mind if some nice HR people set up a pill testing tent at the event?

I imagine they have gone ahead and banned alcohol then too. I can't say someone smoking pot or on E has been a threat to my safety. Now drunk people.. i've been attacked by them, my wife has been grabbed by them multiple times, i have seen countless events disripted by drunken brawls...

 

[23536]

Reader comment

Al Swearengen
12:19 PM on 09/07/2013

One of the best "villains" on TV ever.

 

[my3rdeye]

You will never find my LSD, which I probably took in line anyway.

 

[poledriver]

They probably wouldn't find it anyway if it's hidden well enough, I mean dogs can't sniff it out can they? (The usual drug sniffer dogs anyway, I think I read dogs can be trained to smell lsd or something like it, but they dont train them on mass to do so).

 

[Chesh]

Sniffer dogs are shite.

I've got drugs past them so many times. But it's usually at events where everyone has drugs so they're probably confused.

 

[poledriver]

Busy day at festival first aid tent

First aid incidents at T in the Park have almost doubled on last year while visits to the hospital tent have also soared, organisers said.

There had been 312 trips to the first aid tent by early evening on Friday, compared with 161 on the first day last year, and 183 visits to the hospital tent for "minor" ailments, compared with 108 last year.

Only one person has required offsite hospital care, compared with six last year, but organisers said the incident is not serious. Sunburn was among the injuries as revellers basked in 26C heat and sunshine, with hay fever and asthma also causing problems for a small number of revellers.

However, organisers said it has been a glorious day for the vast majority of the 85,000 people who turned out for the first day of the event.

Neil Gillies, of the onsite medical services, said: "Obviously this is a particularly sunny T in the Park and most people are presenting for minor medical ailments, such as hay fever. For those who haven't yet arrived on site, we advise you to be prepared, ensure you bring sunscreen, any relevant medication, plus appropriate footwear and clothing."

Scottish favourites The Proclaimers took to the main stage as revellers welcomed "Sunshine on Kinross". Folk-rockers Mumford & Sons headline the festival on Friday night, Rihanna headlines on Saturday and The Killers top the bill on Sunday.

Director Geoff Ellis said: "It was fantastic to open the arena on our 20th year and great to see that the sun has come out to help us celebrate. This will be a weekend not to be missed. There are still some tickets on sale and they can be bought online, then picked up at our box office when fans arrive."

Police Scotland said they are "delighted" with the behaviour of fans so far, and crime levels, particularly theft, are very low.

Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill visited the site on Friday, and urged people to heed a police drug warning following previous deaths linked to fake Ecstasy pills. Pictures of the pills, coloured green with a Rolex-style stamp, have been posted around the festival site and drugs amnesty bins have been placed at the gates for people to dispose of any substances without fear of prosecution or exclusion.

This year's T in the Park has attracted a record 35,000 campers and organisers expect 85,000 people to attend the festival on each of the three days.

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2013/07/12/t-in-the-park-drug-safety-advised/