SIA Drug Awareness 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'NPS' stand for in relation to UK drug awareness?
- National Police Service
- New Psychoactive Substances (Correct answer)
- Non-Prescription Stimulants
- Narcotics Prevention Scheme
Correct answer: New Psychoactive Substances
NPS stands for New Psychoactive Substances, formerly known as 'legal highs'. The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 made it illegal to produce, supply, or import any psychoactive substance intended for human consumption.
Question 2: Under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, which of the following is an offence?
- Simple possession of a psychoactive substance for personal use
- Producing a psychoactive substance for supply (Correct answer)
- Possessing alcohol as a psychoactive substance
- Drinking coffee, as caffeine is psychoactive
Correct answer: Producing a psychoactive substance for supply
The Act makes it an offence to produce, supply, offer to supply, possess with intent to supply, import or export psychoactive substances. Simple possession for personal use is not an offence. Alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and medicines are exempt.
Question 3: GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) is commonly associated with which type of crime in licensed premises?
- Theft and pickpocketing
- Drink spiking and sexual assault (Correct answer)
- Criminal damage
- Fraud and counterfeiting
Correct answer: Drink spiking and sexual assault
GHB is commonly used as a 'date rape drug' because it is colourless, odourless, and can cause sedation and memory loss when added to drinks. Door supervisors must be vigilant for signs of drink spiking.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a drug amnesty bin at a venue entrance?
- To collect drugs for police analysis
- To allow patrons to voluntarily dispose of drugs without prosecution before entry (Correct answer)
- To store confiscated drugs until police collect them
- To test substances for purity
Correct answer: To allow patrons to voluntarily dispose of drugs without prosecution before entry
Drug amnesty bins allow patrons to discard substances voluntarily before entering a venue without facing prosecution. This is a harm-reduction approach agreed upon with local police and licensing authorities.
Question 5: Which of the following is a sign that someone may have taken MDMA (ecstasy)?
- Pale skin and shivering
- Jaw clenching, sweating, and dilated pupils (Correct answer)
- Slurred speech and loss of balance
- Constricted pupils and slow breathing
Correct answer: Jaw clenching, sweating, and dilated pupils
MDMA is a stimulant and empathogen. Common signs include jaw clenching (bruxism), teeth grinding, excessive sweating, dilated pupils, increased energy, and heightened sociability.
Question 6: If a door supervisor suspects a patron's drink has been spiked, what is the correct course of action?
- Tell the patron to stop drinking and go home
- Keep the drink as evidence, ensure the patron's safety, call the police and seek medical help (Correct answer)
- Pour the drink away to prevent further harm
- Ask the patron's friends to look after them
Correct answer: Keep the drink as evidence, ensure the patron's safety, call the police and seek medical help
The drink should be preserved as evidence, the patron should be kept safe and not left alone, police should be contacted, and medical assistance sought if needed. Pouring the drink away destroys vital evidence.
SIA Drug Awareness 2
What does 'NPS' stand for in relation to UK drug awareness?