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Welfare first: transforming harm reduction at UK festivals

Joseph Janes Orcid Logo

Harm Reduction Journal, Volume: 22, Issue: 1

Swansea University Author: Joseph Janes Orcid Logo

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Abstract

BackgroundA welfare-first approach to harm reduction at UK festivals is emerging as a critical strategy for enhancing festival safety. In particular, the implementation of anonymous, non-punitive drug-checking services is posited as essential for reducing drug-related harm by enabling informed decis...

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Published in: Harm Reduction Journal
ISSN: 1477-7517
Published: UK Springer Science and Business Media LLC 2025
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69200
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spelling 2025-04-30T12:17:17.6316088 v2 69200 2025-04-01 Welfare first: transforming harm reduction at UK festivals 9978c07cfc688537dce1a87a5a779c19 0000-0001-5285-0937 Joseph Janes Joseph Janes true false 2025-04-01 SOSS BackgroundA welfare-first approach to harm reduction at UK festivals is emerging as a critical strategy for enhancing festival safety. In particular, the implementation of anonymous, non-punitive drug-checking services is posited as essential for reducing drug-related harm by enabling informed decision-making. This empirical study examines the limitations of punitive drug policies and the associated risks to public health and explores the potential benefits of decriminalisation in fostering safer festival environments.MethodsThe study employed qualitative methodologies, including semi-structured interviews and questionnaires with festival attendees at three major UK festivals. This empirical data was supplemented by a review of recent studies (Ivers et al. in Ir J Med Sci 191(4):1701–1710, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-021-02765-2; Palmer Maynard in Harm Reduc J 19(1):81, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00662-0; Cooney and Measham. in Drug Sci Policy Law 9, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1177/20503245231211444) and relevant policy documents, in order to evaluate current harm reduction practices and identify key barriers, such as stigma, social control, and criminalisation.ResultsAnalysis revealed that integrated harm reduction measures, comprising drug-checking services, welfare support, and early intervention initiatives, significantly enhance safety by empowering individuals with timely, accurate substance information. A majority of participants expressed a clear preference for drug-checking services, underscoring their willingness to engage when these services are provided in a supportive, non-punitive environment. However, persistent challenges related to punitive drug policies and gaps in public education about harm reduction continue to impede optimal service delivery. Evidence further suggests that a shift towards decriminalisation and welfare-based approaches could mitigate these risks and foster more trusting engagement with harm reduction initiatives.ConclusionsThe findings indicate that prioritising welfare-first harm reduction strategies, particularly the implementation of anonymous drug-checking services, can create safer festival environments and inform broader public health policies. The study underscores the need for policy reforms that move away from punitive approaches, suggesting that festival-based interventions can serve as scalable models for reducing drug-related harm across diverse community settings. Journal Article Harm Reduction Journal 22 1 Springer Science and Business Media LLC UK 1477-7517 22 3 2025 2025-03-22 10.1186/s12954-025-01184-1 COLLEGE NANME Social Sciences School COLLEGE CODE SOSS Swansea University Other 2025-04-30T12:17:17.6316088 2025-04-01T14:18:59.3402159 Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences School of Social Sciences - Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy Joseph Janes 0000-0001-5285-0937 1 69200__34137__d26941c6e29549c69c82e9455cb22df1.pdf 69200.VoR.pdf 2025-04-30T12:15:01.1304783 Output 921666 application/pdf Version of Record true © The Author(s) 2025. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. true eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
title Welfare first: transforming harm reduction at UK festivals
spellingShingle Welfare first: transforming harm reduction at UK festivals
Joseph Janes
title_short Welfare first: transforming harm reduction at UK festivals
title_full Welfare first: transforming harm reduction at UK festivals
title_fullStr Welfare first: transforming harm reduction at UK festivals
title_full_unstemmed Welfare first: transforming harm reduction at UK festivals
title_sort Welfare first: transforming harm reduction at UK festivals
author_id_str_mv 9978c07cfc688537dce1a87a5a779c19
author_id_fullname_str_mv 9978c07cfc688537dce1a87a5a779c19_***_Joseph Janes
author Joseph Janes
author2 Joseph Janes
format Journal article
container_title Harm Reduction Journal
container_volume 22
container_issue 1
publishDate 2025
institution Swansea University
issn 1477-7517
doi_str_mv 10.1186/s12954-025-01184-1
publisher Springer Science and Business Media LLC
college_str Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
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hierarchy_top_id facultyofhumanitiesandsocialsciences
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofhumanitiesandsocialsciences
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
department_str School of Social Sciences - Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences{{{_:::_}}}School of Social Sciences - Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy
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description BackgroundA welfare-first approach to harm reduction at UK festivals is emerging as a critical strategy for enhancing festival safety. In particular, the implementation of anonymous, non-punitive drug-checking services is posited as essential for reducing drug-related harm by enabling informed decision-making. This empirical study examines the limitations of punitive drug policies and the associated risks to public health and explores the potential benefits of decriminalisation in fostering safer festival environments.MethodsThe study employed qualitative methodologies, including semi-structured interviews and questionnaires with festival attendees at three major UK festivals. This empirical data was supplemented by a review of recent studies (Ivers et al. in Ir J Med Sci 191(4):1701–1710, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-021-02765-2; Palmer Maynard in Harm Reduc J 19(1):81, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00662-0; Cooney and Measham. in Drug Sci Policy Law 9, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1177/20503245231211444) and relevant policy documents, in order to evaluate current harm reduction practices and identify key barriers, such as stigma, social control, and criminalisation.ResultsAnalysis revealed that integrated harm reduction measures, comprising drug-checking services, welfare support, and early intervention initiatives, significantly enhance safety by empowering individuals with timely, accurate substance information. A majority of participants expressed a clear preference for drug-checking services, underscoring their willingness to engage when these services are provided in a supportive, non-punitive environment. However, persistent challenges related to punitive drug policies and gaps in public education about harm reduction continue to impede optimal service delivery. Evidence further suggests that a shift towards decriminalisation and welfare-based approaches could mitigate these risks and foster more trusting engagement with harm reduction initiatives.ConclusionsThe findings indicate that prioritising welfare-first harm reduction strategies, particularly the implementation of anonymous drug-checking services, can create safer festival environments and inform broader public health policies. The study underscores the need for policy reforms that move away from punitive approaches, suggesting that festival-based interventions can serve as scalable models for reducing drug-related harm across diverse community settings.
published_date 2025-03-22T05:38:51Z
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