Last year the event attracted a crowd of around 30,000 people per day.

NHS Highlands Substance Misuse Co-ordinator and Lead Nurse Dougie Montgomery said:

“Last year we saw some people overindulge so much that they ended up in the field hospital and missed the event completely. We want to encourage people to enjoy themselves in a safe way.

“The atmosphere at the event created by the crowds, the music, the open air and the excitement means that it can be easy to get a little reckless. The consequences of drinking too much are well known and the longer term effects on your own health and wellbeing, as well as those around you, can lead to regret.

“It’s important to bear in mind that the weather can also affect how you feel if you’re drinking alcohol. You will have a higher risk of sun stroke and dehydration if it’s hot and of becoming unwell if it’s chilly; your senses will be impaired and you may not realise how cold you’re becoming.

“We know that alcohol is likely to play a part in some people’s enjoyment of the festival and we would urge them to pace their drinking and know when to stop.

“Looking after yourself includes drinking water and non alcoholic fluids, eating, not mixing your drinks to excess, and remembering that you are in charge of your own personal safety.

“It’s also really important that people stick together and look out for their friends. The festival ground is enormous when it’s packed and it’s very easy to get separated, add alcohol into that equation and you quickly find that some people get panicky and disorientated because they’ve drunk too much”.

Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service Risk Management Co-ordinator Cathie Way also urged festival goers to make good use of the dedicated food preparation areas and eating outlets. She added:
“Cooking and drinking alcohol really don’t mix and we want everyone to have a memorable festival for all the right reasons.

“We’ve adopted a multi-agency approach this year (partnership with NHS Highland, Northern Constabulary, Scottish Ambulance Service, HDAAT, Red Cross, Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service) to help keep people as safe as possible. Scottish Water have kindly donated 100 water bottles so as festival goers can refill as required and we’ve combined resources to offer free bottled water, contraception, torches and wet wipes throughout the three day period.”

Scottish Water’s Communities Manager for the Highlands, Joanna Peebles, said: “Drinking water helps you stay fit, alert and energetic – just the tonic for a lively outdoor event such as Rockness. It’s important for festival-goers to keep hydrated so we hope the sports bottles we’ve donated will be well used. We’re proud of the drinking water we make in the Highlands and we’ll be delivering a regular supply of it to the Rockness site. The event is good for the Highland economy and we’re very
happy to support it.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

For further information please call NHS Highland Communications Officer Jo Young on 01463 704774.

Dehydration – the facts
When you are dehydrated, it means that the amount of fluids (water) your body is losing is more than the amount of water your body is taking in.
Your body is made up of about two-thirds water.

You’re not drinking enough water if…
- Your urine is dark, concentrated and has a strong smell. If it’s clear and odourless then you are drinking enough fluid.

- Headaches are often a sign of dehydration, so before reaching for a headache pill, try a glass of water.

These are the health benefits associated with drinking 6-8 glasses of water every day…
- Water does not contain sugar so choosing to drink water over sugary or carbonated drinks helps you have healthier teeth, and drinking 6-8 glasses of water each day helps to keep your bones, hair and nails healthy.
- Drinking water before, during and after physical activity helps you stay alert and have extra energy. Healthy and hydrated muscle tissue is around 75% water and drinking 6-8 glasses every day can help you prevent
tiredness and cramps.

- Your brain tissue is around 85% water. Drinking 6-8 glasses of water every day helps you have better memory and concentration. Results have shown that your performance, both academically and creatively, is
increased when you drink water throughout your day.
- Healthy skin is around 70% water – but it is the last organ in your body to benefit from your body’s supply of water. Drinking 6-8 glasses of water every day helps you have soft, firm skin and it help prevent the appearance of fine lines and spots.

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Test Purchasing schemes are designed to target the illegal sale of alcohol to young people and the irresponsible and anti-social behaviour that stems from that. By working together the Force and its partner agencies can reduce the availability of alcohol to under-18s. Over February and March, Northern Constabulary will be carrying out Test Purchases in the Inverness, the Black Isle and Easter Ross areas.

The powers will be used on an intelligence-led basis to root out licensed traders who sell alcohol to minors, adding to alcohol related problems, such as anti-social behaviour and disorder. The use of test-purchasing initiative aims, together with other areas of pro-active work with youths and youth groups by Police and partners, to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour across Inverness and the Highlands.

The scheme consists of a fully briefed teenager (under 18 years of age) entering a licensed premises under controlled conditions and in line with ACPOS agreed guidelines to purchase alcohol. If the proprietor does not ask the person their age and allows them to purchase alcohol they will be committing an offence, even if their excuse is that they thought they were 18. Licence holders will not be duped into committing an offence because if they, as they should do, ask the age of the test purchaser then the youngsters will answer truthfully.

Public houses, off-sales, and nightclub proprietors are reminded they could face losing their licence if they are found to be selling alcohol to anyone under 18.

The Police-led initiative is being supported by The Highland Council, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Licence Trade Association and Crimestoppers.

Inspector Tom Ogilvy, Liaison Officer, said:

“Test Purchasing is a valuable tool in the fight against alcohol fuelled disorder and anti-social behaviour. Our communities are asking us to do something about this type of behaviour and test purchasing is just one of the ways we can respond to those requests. It has been used successfully in a number of areas across the Force in previous months.”

He added:

“Test purchasing will allow us to identify and bring to justice those who are perpetuating the problem of anti-social behaviour within our communities for the sake of profit. The law is quite clear. It is an offence to sell alcohol to anyone under 18. It is not just the licence holder who is responsible but also all the staff working in any licensed premises. The message is Can’t Tell, Don’t Sell, It’s Your Responsibility. It’s an offence for anyone under 18 to attempt to buy it. Don’t be offended if you are asked for ID. Crimestoppers Highland is urging the public to help Police trace those traders who are breaking the law.”

Jim Ferguson, Crimestoppers Highland chairman, said:

“Crimestoppers fully support Northern Constabulary’s initiative in robustly tackling the problem of alcohol sales to underage youths. We are keen for members of the public to use the Crimestoppers anonymous number 0800 555 111 to pass information to our call centre with any information they may have of any off-licences violating the conditions of their alcohol licence.

“Underage drinking has serious consequences, sometimes causing long term health problems and more often than not leading to anti social behaviour. Crimestoppers commend Northern Police for taking such a firm stance for the benefit of all concerned.”

Councillor Margaret Davidson, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Housing and Social Work Committee said:

“We fully support the Police Test Purchasing Programme in shops and supermarkets that sell alcohol. This as an integral part of our joint initiative to address the problem of under age drinking in Highland communities.

“It is essential that we reduce the ability of young people who are underage from being able to access alcohol. While we recognise that most of our shops do adhere to the licensing laws appropriately and responsibly it is vital that the Police are able to target and deal with those that do not. Parents and other adults who may be asked to supply or purchase alcohol on behalf of those underage are potentially placing young people at risk and anyone who witnesses this should report the matter to the Police.”

She added:
“It is only by working together as a whole community that we will address the problems caused by underage drinking.”

Anyone who has information relating to the sale of alcohol to minors is urged to contact Police on 01463 715555 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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