Warren Le Sueur, co-organiser of the two-day event, said the festival’s tough stance against legal highs would continue this year and they had robust procedures in place to keep the drugs – whether they are banned by law in the Island or not – from being smuggled in.
LEGAL highs first made the headlines in the Island in 2008 after they were sold at a stand at the Jersey Live festival.
A number of festival-goers, including teenagers, were hospitalised after snorting and smoking ‘herbal highs’.
They included three 15-year-olds, a 14-year-old and one 17-year-old who were openly smoking and snorting legal highs in front of police officers.
Dr Susan Turnbull, who was then Jersey’s deputy Medical Officer of Health, launched an immediate investigation.
He added that an amnesty bin would once again be available at the entrance of the festival to give Islanders a final chance to hand over any banned items before they pass security.
Mr Le Sueur warned festival-goers that they would be evicted from the event and face prosecution if they are caught in possession of any banned substance once inside.
It comes after a 22-year-old man was spared jail earlier this week after he was caught with dozens of ecstasy tablets worth around £1,100 outside of the festival.
Thomas Oliver Howard pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply and was given a 456-hour community sentence and put on probation for two years.
Mr Le Sueur said: ‘We have a zero tolerance policy towards drugs and that has stepped up since the increase in use of so-called legal highs. I believe we were one of the first festivals to ban them completely.
‘The amnesty box is open until 9 pm each day and then the contents are handed over to the police who destroy them. I am told that the amnesty box had nothing in it last year.’
Mr Le Sueur also moved to reassure parents that Jersey Live remained a family-friendly event and that drugs were not common place.
Asked if anyone caught with drugs has previously been banned from the festival, Mr Le Sueur said: ‘We have not got to that point in yet. We think that people in Jersey are quite respectful of our policies and in the most part they just want to come to Jersey Live for a good time and to enjoy themselves.’
Six years ago Jersey Live organisers were criticised for allowing a company to sell the drugs, which were then legal and advertised as ‘healthy and safe’, at the festival
But since then the true dangers of the substances, which can be bought online for far less than conventional drugs, has come to light and they have been responsible for several deaths the Island.
Most of the drugs, which are now sold as ‘legal highs’, are banned substances.
Drum and bass four-piece Rudimental will headline the festival, which is based at the Royal Jersey Showground in Trinity, on Sunday.
Saturday’s headliners are yet to be announced.
