Mast Drugs Testing Piloted At Festivals

26 Sep 2016

Secret Garden Party became the first UK festival to trial drugs testing onsite this year. Around 200 patrons ended up using the multi agency safety testing (MAST) facility which was ‘brokered in agreement with the local police and council’. Professor Fiona Measham (Director of The Loop) was instrumental to it’s implementation and success. Festivalgoers were offered the tests as part of a 10-minute package of health and safety advice provided by The Loop and 1 in 4 people who had their drugs tested decided to dispose of them when they found out what was actually in them. Kendal Calling also trialled the testing this season and a full review of the results and next steps will be presented at the Festival Congress later this year. You can read more about the Secret Garden Party trial here.