On this page, we answer the most frequently asked questions related to illegal narcotics
What is the festival’s stance on drugs?
Roskilde Festival is completely against drugs. We make this clear thorugh banners and the large screens on the festival site.
We would like to have a drug-free festival environment. However, we recognize the challenge of eliminating drugs entirely. As long as there are drugs in society, unfortunately, there will also be drugs at the festival.
Therefore, we maintain close dialogue with experts from instutions such as the Criminological Obersvatory of the University of Copenhagen, the Danish Health Authority, the Poison Control Hotline, street-level workers, and the police.This collaboration informs us about developments within drug use, including research and recommended interventions.
What do you do to enforce this stance?
We cooperate closely with the police. On-site, it is their responsibility to enforce the law and they patrol the festival area. Both the police and festival security keep an eye on drug dealing, which leads to expulsion from the festival and subsequent police intervention.
Festival participants caught with drugs receive a police fine and are, when possible, given a warning wristband by Roskilde Festival. If they are caught with drugs again, it results in expulsion from the festival.
When issuing warning wristbands, we emphasize the reasons behind our actions as part of our educational efforts.
What does the police do?
In recent years, the police have intensified their efforts against drugs in the police district, including at Roskilde Festival, resulting in increased drug confiscations, fines, and crackdowns on drug sellers.
Why don’t you crack down harder on drugs?
We and the police enforce strict measures against drug dealers, resulting in immediate expulsion from the festival. The police carry out the law enforcement effort, and Roskilde Festival is responsible for the informative effort.
Why don’t you expel people who take drugs?
When individuals are caught with drugs and fined by the police, we replace their wristband with a warning wristband.
Completely revoking their wristband would equate to an additional 2,400 kr fine, which we find disproportionate. We also believe that those who receive a warning wristband can positively influence others to party without drugs.
In addition, It is important that festival attendees feel safe approaching our Samaritans and hosts for assistance if they or others feel unwell due to drug use. We fear attendees may not seek help if faced with expulsion.
How widespread are drugs?
Only the police can accurately assess the extent of illegal drug use at Roskilde Festival compared to other locations.
With more than 100,000 inhabitants, Roskilde Festival is Denmark’s largest city when measured by the concentration of youth cohorts.
Unfortunately, drug use is a widespread part of youth party culture. We would like it to be different. Therefore, we cooperate with the police and other institutions and experts and clearly and visibly express our stance against drugs.
What is your stance on hash?
Hash is unhealthy and illegal. The Danish Health Authority reports that many young people mistakenly perceive hash as harmless, and the use of hash is unfortunately generally increasing.
We believe the best way we can make a difference is by taking a clear stance, informing and being in close contact with our participants trough our Social Workers and by continuously consulting with experts in the field.
What is your stance on opioids?
According to the Danish Health Authority, the use of opioids can be addictive and lead to abuse. We are aware that it can potentially be used for intoxication purposes at the festival, just as they are in some party environments in the rest of society.
Since opioids are not illegal if they are dispensed on a valid prescription, we can only urge everyone to think carefully and take care of yourself and each other. If you feel unwell, or notice others feeling unwell, please reach out to the Samaritans or the festival's hosts for assistance.
Why don’t you test the guests’ drugs?
We have considered drug testing as a harm reduction strategy but ultimately decided against it based on recommendations from the Danish Health Authority.
Tests may help prevent people from taking mixed substances, which are extra dangerous, and especially in environments where people already use drugs, it can be a good idea to do testing.
But tests can also have a legitimizing effect for both sellers (“We have had it tested”) and for new users who have not previously done drugs and perceive it as a form of ‘approval’. Additionally, there is always a risk associated with drug use, even if they have been tested.
Based on this and also on discussions we have had with other European festivals on the topic, we have decided not to conduct drug testing at Roskilde Festival. This decision aligns with the recommendations of the Danish Health Authority, especially considering our predominantly young audience, where the majority do not use drugs. Our focus remains on preventing more young people from starting to experiment with drugs.
But we monitor international developments in drug testing practices and maintain ongoing discussions with relevant authorities.
What campaigns take place at the festival?
Our banners and large screens prominently display our anti-drug stance.
From 2009-2022, we participated in the Danish Health Authority’s Against Drugs campaign with Dansk Live. Although the campaign is not ongoing this year, we continue our dialogue and knowledge sharing with relevant authorities.