Summer music festivals have long been venues where some attendees opt to utilize psychedelics and other substances.
A team of researchers is exploring the implementation of harm reduction practices at these events and the valuable lessons that can be gleaned from them.
Lead researcher Erika Dyck, a history professor at the University of Saskatchewan and a Canada Research Chair in the history of health and social justice, has dedicated the past twenty years to studying psychedelics.
According to Dyck, music festivals, being hotspots for the consumption of such substances, are also spaces where harm reduction strategies are frequently employed as people strive to care for each other and minimize risks.
Kenneth Tupper, an adjunct professor at the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia, is part of the research team investigating this phenomenon.
He noted that drug checking initiatives originated in Canada within the context of music festivals.
“It gained traction in Canada as part of the response to the toxic drug crisis around 2016 when British Columbia declared it a public health emergency,” Tupper explained.
The British Columbia Centre on Substance Use introduced a new portable tool, an FTIR spectrometer, for drug testing around 2017. This device proved ideal for use at festivals like Shambhala and Bass Coast, among others.
The inaugural edition of the Regina Exchange Folk Festival took place recently. Artistic director Zandra Kaszas emphasized the importance of harm reduction and safety in the event preparations.
“While we hope for the best, we also wanted to be prepared for any eventuality,” Kaszas stated.
In addition to standard safety measures such as security personnel, hydration stations, and on-site medical assistance, the Nēwo Yōtina Friendship Centre (NYFC) provided a naloxone station at the festival to address potential overdoses.
Tupper highlighted that drug testing services offer individuals a sense of certainty before making decisions regarding drug consumption. Additionally, counseling services can be lifesaving by assisting individuals in navigating their experiences.
“I’ve assisted individuals through challenging experiences and helped them find support, which I believe was more beneficial than if they were left on their own. It has been incredibly rewarding work,” Tupper remarked.
Dyck outlined that the research project aims to document the various harm reduction strategies employed at festivals.
“We aim to build an archive of these experiences as they are not typically preserved in traditional archives, but they offer valuable insights that should be included in future discussions,” she remarked.
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