Local services
Deputy Mayor of Debrecen Diána Széles, President of the Spirit in Youth for the Youth Association (Lelkierő Fiatalon a Fiatalokért Egyesület) Béla Szilárd Juhász, and Festival Director of the Campus Fesztivál Péter Miklósvölgyi reported about the measures related to the Campus Festival, which promote safe entertainment, at a press conference on the 22nd of July 2024.
As Diána Széles, among others, said “in a unique way, the Municipality of Debrecen, in the spirit of the caring city idea, not only campaigns but also informs young people about safe entertainment continuously”.
Funded by the city, the city and the organisers, through civil helpers, are working together to ensure that this continues to be the case and that this event is really about having fun. That’s why they jointly set up the Harm Reduction Tent ten years ago, and this year it’s now a Harm Reduction Point. This unique initiative will be funded by the city during this year’s festival.
“It is of paramount importance that parents, who let their children attend the festival, prepare their children for what safe entertainment is. These include that young festival-goers should never leave anyone in their company alone, and to ensure that they are adequately hydrated in order to avoid dehydration. The key is to pay attention to each other!” Diána Széles emphasised.
And it is not only with this event that the city is focusing on raising awareness among young people, it is also informing young people about harm reduction through professional NGOs funded by the city.
Festival Director Péter Miklósvölgyi highlighted all the efforts being made to prevent drugs from entering the event area. “The people arriving at the festival should familiarise themselves with the festival map and be aware of any evacuation plans and signs, as the safety of festival-goers is considered a priority. The Campus Festival is uniquely located in a forested area, and while the staff of the Green Space Department of the Municipality of Debrecen have checked the condition of the trees in the Great Forest this year, there are also safety protocols in place to enforce in the event of fire or storm. In all cases, the operational team will consider whether a dangerous situation is likely to arise and will act accordingly following a joint decision by several public authorities. This could be a storm, from which the festival-goers can escape to a safe location. This could be the Nagyerdei Stadium building, which can provide shelter for up to 40-50 thousand people and thus guarantee the safety of the people in this case. So, in any case, these measures are being taken because the health and safety of the people are being taken into account, by considering the risks, ” he also said.
Péter Miklósvölgyi also mentioned that the special coloured wristband introduced for those under 18 passed the exam last year, so it will be used this year as well.
“Every year the team of festival organisers stands by a good cause. This year, they want to help with the collection organised for the recovery of Beni Micskó, who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, thus, in addition to the contribution of the participants of the opening reception, there are many ways to donate to the “Save Beni! Foundation”. For example, there is a special collection point for the plastic and glass waste generated in the festival area (which will not be a return point), and the amount received from the return of the waste placed there is offered for the medical treatment of the little boy, “ Péter Miklósvölgyi explained.
“At the Campus Festival, instead of the previous Harm Reduction Tent, there is now a Harm Reduction Point, which means that this year those who need care will be waited in an air-conditioned room at the point located in the Nagyerdei Stadium building. In addition, the service center of the police, disaster management and ambulances will also be located at the point , so quick help will be very easily available if needed. At such an event, where so many people are present, certain “accidents and fatigue” are inevitable, especially in connection with the consumption of alcohol, which can already be predicted based on the experience of the past years. Around 8.00 – 9. 00 p.m., it’s typically teenagers with little party experience who are feeling sick from the heat alone, followed by young adults and later on by those older than them. The festival security staff also know where the Harm Reduction Point is, so they will quickly escort those in need of help. There is also a phone number, available on several information platforms throughout the festival, which is worth saving, so even in a larger company, if someone sees that one of their companions needs help, they should not be afraid to call the number. There, those who feel unwell receive care and attention appropriate to their condition, mineral water, vitamins, and the opportunity to rest,” President of the Spirit in Youth for the Youth Association Béla Szilárd Juhász said.
Szilárd Béla Juhász pointed out that the Campus Festival had never been characterised by the presence of illicit drugs, and accordingly, in recent years, it was very rarely necessary to provide assistance to anyone. Finally, he advised that would be worth checking in with parents from time to time via messaging apps on mobile phones, or activating location apps on smart devices.
Source:debrecen.hu
