Thrills, pills and bellyaches – a little club health history

Following several ecstasy-related deaths over a short space of time, the Mersey Drug Training and Information Centre (now HIT) produced Chill Out. A Raver’s Guide in 1991. The leaflet contained basic information about the three main drugs that were used on the club scene at the time and provided methods to reduce risks, how to deal with an emergency and information about other issues including the need for sleep and good diet, avoiding dehydration and heat exhaustion. The visually attractive leaflet was received gratefully and enthusiastically by the target audience but condemned by the local and national media, politicians and a government minister. During the next decade, HIT delivered several social marketing inspired public health orientated communication campaigns.  

The very first Club Health conference was held in the world-famous Cream nightclub Liverpool in 1997. I spoke at the event about the nature and extent of drug use in night-time settings and the importance of ensuring credible messages met the needs of the target audience. At the time, I was the Director of HIT.

A summary of my presentation is available here...

The excerpt is taken from The Health of The Clubbing Nation, Edited by Mary Kilfoyle and Mark A Bellis. Published in 1997.

Andrew M Bennett
Public Health Lead, Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership
Organiser, The 12th International Conference on Nightlife, Substance Use and Related Health Issues