Summer music festivals have long been venues where some individuals opt to use psychedelics and other substances. A team of researchers is investigating how these events incorporate harm reduction practices and the insights that can be gained from them. 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 common settings for the use of such substances, are also hubs for implementing harm reduction strategies where individuals strive to care for one another 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 exploring this subject. He noted that drug checking initiatives originated in Canada within the context of music festivals. Tupper highlighted that in response to the toxic drug crisis around 2016, these practices gained traction. The British Columbia Centre on Substance Use introduced a portable instrument, an FTIR spectrometer, for drug testing purposes approximately in 2017, which proved to be ideal for use at festivals like Shambhala and Bass Coast.
The inaugural edition of the Regina Exchange Folk Festival took place recently, with a focus on prioritizing harm reduction and safety. Zandra Kaszas, the festival’s artistic director, emphasized the importance of being prepared for potential emergencies despite proactive safety measures in place. Alongside conventional safety protocols such as security and hydration stations, the festival collaborated with the Nēwo Yōtina Friendship Centre (NYFC) to provide a naloxone station for overdose emergencies.
Tupper highlighted the significance of drug testing services in offering individuals a sense of assurance before making decisions regarding drug use. He also emphasized the life-saving potential of counseling services to help individuals navigate their experiences. Dyck underscored that the research project aims to document the harm reduction strategies employed at festivals to create a valuable repository of knowledge that is often overlooked in traditional archives but could significantly contribute to future discussions.