Kendal Calling festival advice

Kendal Calling music festival gets underway this weekend, andCumbria Police are warning festival goers about the dangers of so called ‘legal highs’.

Kendal Calling is being held in Lowther Park near Penrith, and event organisers operate a zero tolerance approach to the use of drugs.

Many of the more well-known ‘legal highs’ have recently been classified as illegal drugs, and officers have warned that many of those remaining on the market may include these banned substances.

Anyone caught in possession of the following substances (or anything containing them) is breaking the law:

In December 2009, the chemical solvent GBL, gamma-butyrolactone, which is used by clubbers as a substitute for the banned drug GHB (also known as “liquid ecstasy”) was classified as a class C drug.

At the same time BZP, benzylpiperazine, and related piperazines (which are stimulants) became class C drugs. They are produced in pills and powders, creating a surge of energy but also agitation, headaches and sickness.

It means that users could be punished with a two-year jail term and those convicted of dealing in the substances jailed for up to 14 years.

Also in 2009, synthetic cannabinoids (man-made chemicals sprayed on herbal smoking products such as Spice) became a class B drug. More recently, in April 2010, Mephedrone was banned and just this week, on 23 July Naphyrone – often advertised as the legal high ‘NRG1’ – and its related compounds became Class B drugs.

Anyone caught with a Class B drug faces up to five years in prison.

Police officers will be attending the event to deter and tackle crime and disorder and to facilitate traffic management in the area to ensure it remains a safe and enjoyable festival. They will also be on the look out for people supplying and in possession of illegal drugs.

Temporary Superintendent Mark Pannone is managing the policing operation at the event. He said: “We want to ensure people can enjoy Kendal Calling safely, so will be taking a tough stance on the use and supply of illegal drugs. This will include newly banned substances such as Mephedrone and BZP. Unfortunately, many ‘legal highs’ contain these substances, so people may end up unwittingly using a dangerous or illegal substance without realising.

“By using these substances you are risking arrest and, worse, risking your health. The only safe option is to avoid drugs and ‘legal highs’ altogether.

“People attend Kendal Calling specifically to enjoy themselves and have fun, so our officers will be on hand to protect the public, to respond to any incidents, and to try and keep the traffic moving at the start and end of the festival.”

Kendal Calling is a sold out event. Anyone arriving without a ticket will not be allowed entry. Fence jumpers will be dealt with as trespassers and prosecuted accordingly. Cumbria Police and the festival organisers will work together to ensure entry is gained by ticket holders only.

If you or someone else thinks they are having a serious negative reaction soon after taking a drug, seek help immediately by calling 999, contacting a medic or going straight to the accident and emergency department of your nearest hospital. For further health advice on staying happy and healthy during Kendal Calling visit the NHS website.

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