If we cannot stop them from taking drugs then we must be prepared to take steps to reduce the harm that they may cause themselves

Bob Ainsworth Drugs minister

Her father Alan said: "[The guidelines] will help to reduce the likelihood of a crisis occurring, help with its early detection and improve reaction in the critical period immediately afterwards."

Janet Betts, the mother of Leah, who died on her 18th birthday after taking ecstasy in 1995, gave the guidelines a cautious welcome.

She said some of the facilities suggested in the Home Office leaflet, like free cold water, a rest room and a first aider, "should be there anyway".

But she added: "The minute you put a fancy label on it, like 'chill-out room', or 'we have a paramedic', that club is using that to advertise the fact that they tolerate drug use, and that's what I object to."

Metal detectors

The leaflet gives clubs advice on how to prevent dealing and make the venue safer for clubbers on drugs.

It also says they should employ police-approved door staff and use metal detectors to search clubbers for weapons.

It is being interpreted as the government recognising the extent of drug-taking in clubs, and a move away from a hardline approach.

Safer Clubbing

Free water to prevent dehydration Prevent over-crowding Good ventilation and 'chill-out' room Staff trained in first aid

About four million people use illicit drugs in the UK each year, according to government estimates. Ecstasy-related deaths increased from eight in 1993 to 36 in 2000.

Drugs minister Bob Ainsworth said: "If we cannot stop them from taking drugs then we must be prepared to take steps to reduce the harm that they may cause themselves."

He added: "Club owners and dance promoters have a duty to make sure that they have done everything possible to reduce the risks faced by the young people who are their paying customers."

Nick Hawkins, the Conservative spokesman, said the guide was "not welcome news to the public or to parents" while former shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe said "instead of throwing our hands up, we should be getting a lot tougher".

Chief executive of UK drugs charity DrugScope, Roger Howard said the move was "encouraging".

'Legal risk'

But while ministers were offering guidance on reducing harm, they were also introducing legislation threatening club owners with jail if they "knowingly permit" drug use on their premises, he added.

"With the threat of jail hanging over them, club owners may be dissuaded from introducing effective harm reduction measures and deaths may result," he said.

But a Home Office spokesman said the guide was written in close co-operation with the club trade - as well as local authorities and the police - and "the very fact of their involvement is evidence that it would not put club owners in breach of the law".

The guide follows comments by the Metropolitan Police's controversial Commander Brian Paddick earlier this month that targeting ecstasy users in nightclubs was a "waste of resources".