Guidelines Promote Safer Dance Parties

ORGANISERS and promoters of dance parties now have a set of guidelines to help them meet their health and safety responsibilities following the launch of the document Guidelines for Safe Dance Parties.

Ministry of Health Senior Analyst, Matthew Allen said, "The guidelines give dance party organisers clear information about how to fulfill their duty of care to participants at these events."

The document includes a number of practical steps that should be taken to ensure a safe environment at dance parties. The key messages to organisers and promoters of dance parties includes ensuring basic safety of their guests, that there is plenty of free, cold drinking-water available, that there is an area where people can "chill out", and that basic safety measures such as trained staff and crowd control are in place.

Mr Allen said, "There is a growing concern about the increasing availability of ecstasy, and other drug use, in this country and any approach to making dance parties safer for participants must be underpinned by a realisation that young people face decisions about drug taking and other choices."

"The guidelines do not condone illegal drug use, but note the reality that some people will choose to use drugs at dance parties. The information in these guidelines is provided in an attempt to minimise the harm caused by that drug use."

"The Ministry of Health's view is that the guidelines strike a good balance between discouraging drug use and accepting the realities of the dance party scene."

"The guidelines are voluntary, but it is hoped that they will be adopted and widely used."

Guidelines for Safe Dance Parties: The Big Book, and the CD version are available from the Ministry of Health's publication distributor: Wickliffe Group Ltd, ph: 04 496 2277 or e-mail: pubs@moh.govt.nz, or from the Ministry’s web site at www.moh.govt.nz.

ENDS

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