SIA Drug Awareness 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum penalty for supplying a Class A drug in the UK?
- 7 years' imprisonment
- 10 years' imprisonment
- Life imprisonment and/or unlimited fine (Correct answer)
- 14 years' imprisonment
Correct answer: Life imprisonment and/or unlimited fine
Supply or intent to supply a Class A drug carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Question 2: A door supervisor discovers drug paraphernalia in a venue toilet. What should they do?
- Clean it up and dispose of it in a sharps bin
- Leave it in place, photograph it, record the find, and notify management and police (Correct answer)
- Pick it up with gloves and hand it to the police
- Ignore it as it is not their responsibility
Correct answer: Leave it in place, photograph it, record the find, and notify management and police
The scene should be preserved for potential police investigation. The find should be documented with photographs, time, and location recorded. Management should be notified. Handling paraphernalia risks needlestick injury and contamination of evidence.
Question 3: Which of the following is a potential medical emergency associated with ketamine use?
- Heart attack
- A 'K-hole' causing complete dissociation and unresponsiveness (Correct answer)
- Severe allergic skin rash
- Tooth decay
Correct answer: A 'K-hole' causing complete dissociation and unresponsiveness
A 'K-hole' is a state of extreme dissociation caused by high doses of ketamine where the user becomes unresponsive and disconnected from reality. This requires medical attention as the person cannot protect their own airway.
Question 4: Under the duty of care, what responsibility does a door supervisor have toward a heavily intoxicated person refused entry?
- None, once refused entry they are no longer the venue's responsibility
- Ensure they are not left in a vulnerable position and consider calling a taxi or contacting emergency services (Correct answer)
- Escort them to the nearest bus stop
- Call their employer to collect them
Correct answer: Ensure they are not left in a vulnerable position and consider calling a taxi or contacting emergency services
Door supervisors have a duty of care that extends to ensuring refused patrons are not left in a dangerous or vulnerable state. This may include helping arrange safe transport, contacting friends, or calling emergency services if they are at risk.
Question 5: Which Act governs the licensing of door supervisors and security operatives in the UK?
- Security Industry Authority Act 2000
- Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Correct answer)
- Licensing Act 2003
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
Correct answer: Private Security Industry Act 2001
The Private Security Industry Act 2001 established the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and made it a requirement for door supervisors and other security operatives to hold a valid SIA licence.
Question 6: What is the correct procedure for recording a drug seizure in a venue's incident log?
- Write a brief note about what was found
- Record date, time, location, description of substance, amount, who found it, witnesses, how it was sealed, and the police reference number (Correct answer)
- Take a photograph and email it to the licensing authority
- No record is needed if police have been called
Correct answer: Record date, time, location, description of substance, amount, who found it, witnesses, how it was sealed, and the police reference number
A thorough incident log entry must include all relevant details: date, time, location, description and estimated quantity, names of those involved, witnesses, how the substance was sealed and stored, and the police incident/reference number. This forms part of the evidential chain.
SIA Drug Awareness 3
What is the maximum penalty for supplying a Class A drug in the UK?