Safer nightlife in Europe: 5th Meeting EXASS Network in Budapest, Hungary, 4-6 May 2009

Recreational use of drugs in nightlife settings is a common feature among European cities but only in some of them are developed targeted responses to reduce the relatedrisks. These responses have been initiated in the 90s by peer projects emerging from the party scenes. A range of tools are used to increase the partygoers’ awareness on the risks they take and to promote a safer environment: druginformation leaflets, chill out, drug-checking, websites, safer dance guidelines, charters and labels. The most efficient responses are based on local and integrated partnerships involving the concerned stakeholders (peer projects, prevention agencies, club owners, party organisers, police and local authorities).<br/>At the European level, with the support from EU funding programmes, city and NGO networks have carried out practice sharing projects on safer nightlife issues and nowadays, useful guidelines are available to support local initiatives. Municipalities should take profit of these European exchanges in order to support, coordinate and promote safer nightlife projects in their cities.