Two of the UK’s biggest nightclubs, London’s Drumsheds and Manchester’s Warehouse Project, are introducing on-site drug testing. BBC Newsbeat reports.

The clubs joined forces with harm reduction charity The Loop, which will analyze confiscated or returned substances to identify dangerous and contaminated compounds.

“Behind the scenes” drug testing will take place discreetly, away from public view, and if risks are detected the organization will issue warnings to clubbers. According to The Loop, the term is used to distinguish their service from publicly available “in-room” drug testing, known internationally as “drug testing.”

The initiative, supported by the British government, builds on The Loop’s decade-long presence at summer music festivals. The association’s CEO, Katy Porter, stressed that the service does not condone drug use but aims to save lives by providing accurate, real-time information on substance trends.

This innovative approach highlights a pragmatic approach to public safety in nightlife. Nightclubs remain high-risk environments for drug abuse, particularly due to the combination of MDMA and stimulant use, heat and dehydration. These conditions can exacerbate the dangers of drug use, leading to overdose or other medical emergencies.

To learn more about the urgent need for harm reduction in the global electronic music community, read our in-depth article functionality.