On 7th September 2016, after a well publicised review into the deaths of two people at Fabric in London, the nightclub received a permanent closure notice and the license was revoked. Despite campaigning from DJ's (Seth Troxler, Eats Everything, Jackmaster to name but a few), venue-goers and politicians - including the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, the club looked to keep its doors closed forever.

This of course caused uproar among the many. £200,000 was raised towards a legal fund to fight the closure, and in November 2016 Fabric made a deal with Islington Council, the borough in which its found, to re-open the club with strict new conditions. A brand new ID system, a lifetime ban for anyone found dealing or in possession of drugs, and no under 19's allowed between Friday 8pm to Monday 8am. Great, that's solved then I guess. Fabric is open and we can all go along and have a lovely time and forget the closure ever happened. Wrong.

It's now a year on, and today saw the loss of another clubbing institute in Birmingham after having its license permanently revoked due to a drug-related death. 19-year-old student Michael Trueman, was understood to have taken MDMA at The Rainbow Venues at a Halloween event, and tragically lost his life. He was discovered in a disorientated state by security inside the club and was taken by ambulance to Heartlands Hospital, where he passed away the following evening.

To me and anyone else involved in this world of love, freedom and music - it is plain to see that the deaths which take place in these venues are caused by nothing more than ignorance and a lack of understanding when it comes to the use of illegal drugs. It is so frustratingly clear that this is something which cannot be stopped in its entirety. The war on illegal drugs in music venues will never be won, however, it could be solved in armistice - between councils, educational institutes and with each other. How many more of these incidents must the government stand aside and watch until actively intervening, as opposed to ignoring and painting over?

The closure of the venues does nothing more than push the young dancers to a different venue, wherein drugs will still be consumed and these deaths will still occur - and another license will be revoked. If this is the case - streets, pubs, schools, universities, shops, hotels, and pretty much anywhere else you can think of where a substance-related death has happened - should close. Sounds ridiculous, right?

By brushing the real issue under the carpet (lack of education surrounding the consumption of illegal drugs), this becomes a monumental roadblock in moving forwards and making a real change. We can't rid venues of drugs, but we can educate the young, and work to prevent tragedies such as the lives lost at Fabric and Rainbow Venues. Educating on the dangers of consuming too much or too many different substances. Listening to young people who may want to try drugs, or are worried that they cannot find help if they are trying drugs for the first time. Advising on how to be safe and look after yourselves, as well as each other. This information is a basic necessity which needs to be readily available. This is where the focus should be, and with every venue that closes we get further and further away from this focus.

So they have taken away @rainbowvenues licence in Birmingham bc someone died in the club. This isn’t going to stop people taking drugs in raves. There needs to be another, more sensible solution. #RainbowLicence — TwEats Everything® (@eats_everything) November 28, 2017

The Loop, an organisation focused on drug testing and prevention of harm to club goers, are one of the only organisations of their kind in the U.K. They're in partnership with VICE and Mixmag, and also working alongside forward-thinking Cumbria Constabulary and Manchester Police to educate on the use of drugs at festivals, clubs, and anywhere else you'll find them. Thanks to The Loop, you can find out more about the drugs you're taking, and how to keep you and your friends safe. You can also read an incredibly brave and moving testimonial from a mother named Anne Marie Cockburn, who lost her daughter to an accidental ecstasy overdose. Anne believes that had campaigns like #CrushDabWait, the educational MDMA crystal campaign from The Loop, existed - her daughter may still be here today.

Visit The Loops website here to find out about their festival drug testing initiative and information on how to look after yourselves and one another. Talk To Frank is also a UK drugs charity, with unbiased information on substances and an A-Z of what you'll find circulating on the streets and dance floors - you can visit them here.

The Rainbow Venues have since released an official statement, explaining their decision to appeal: