The Football Lads Alliance organise violence and disruption at games - they feed on violence and heavy - handed engagement by Police and "Stewards". The idea you stop violence by using violence - dressed in a uniform, wont stop those fueled with violence and illicit drugs.
Alcohol is a dangerous drug - but it shouldnt have to be banned to enable an organised, informed intervention by police / stewards / security. Control outside the ground is the responsibility of legal authorities. Inside the ground - do we need a bar?
As for illicit drugs: where ever there is a crowd - be it a nightclub, a shopping centre, a busy street, a football match, a rugby match or a music venue >> there are illicit drugs. Big crowd events are an ideal market to illicit drug sellers.
Sniffer dogs are a more useful detection mechanism, than being frisked by an untrained zero-hours "steward" in a hi-vis jacket. The number of methods by which illicit substances, flares, etc can be taken into crowd events are numerous. I wont elaborate. If someone is intent on taking "goods" for sale once inside grounds - they will.
Part of the answer is deterence - and the proper maintenance and installation of facilities. Reduce the opportunities for sellers and users to carry out transactions.
Just an example: the male cubicles in the South Stand are a disgrace - they are dark, the lighting is ineffective, they are dirty and poorly maintained. - They are an ideal "stall": So are the soap dispensers and the "notice boards" facing the urinals - which need taking out.
* Blue lights in the toilets will reduce the risk of injecting drugs - because it reduces visibility of veins to the user.
* Stainless steel toilets - bolted to the floor and the wall with plastic or wooden inserts to rest on, would reduce the risk of drugs being taped at the back of or under the toilet. Anyone who has seen those used in secure units or prison will know exactly what I am talking about.
* Toilet doors need to be minimal in height to protect decency, but for drug and illicit use to be recognised more readilly.
* Cameras at the entrance / exit to the toilets need to be in place. Lighting in the concourse needs to include those areas in shadow - rather ultra-bright than dim.
* Loo roll holders are an ideal space to transfer drugs.
* It takes seconds to do a deal - and disguise transactions. What looks like an innocent behaviour to the untrained eye could be like the Amazon delivery in a crowd.
There are areas in the South stands where the intended seller / user can exchange drugs / substances with low risk. Its no good kidding ourselves that the heavy fist is going to stop this behaviour.
Why isnt there an "app" which Boro fans can simply attach and use to anonymously report suspect behaviours anonymously? [Forgive me - if there is one - but I know nothing about it] Why arent there huge signs in the concourses with contact numbers and direct links to the Control Box - and trained safety officers who can react swifty and sensitively to identify and remove the sellers? Diving into a crowd causes provocation and reduces co-operation with fans. We are not cattle.
Being reactive has proven over decades not to work. These issues are not "football(s)" problem. They are and always have been a societal problem. Once hooked - a drug user [including everyone who uses alcohol] - will find what they are looking for. We have to try and minimise the opportunities in our ground - starting before we pass through the turnstiles. If turning out ones pockets is considered an effective means of finding illicit substances or flares - it doesnt work.
We have to all think sideways - not come out with slogans or labels. Two big middle-aged blokes in front of me on Saturday, were so intoxicated, they could hardly stand and watched none of the game. One in particular was insulting people - but I wasnt going to confront him. Another fan informed a steward - who was about 18, slim and short - with no experience of crowd monitoring or engagement - and appeared afraid to say anything to them. What good is that?