Summer music festivals have long been venues where individuals opt to use psychedelics and other substances. A team of researchers is investigating the implementation of harm reduction practices at these events 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 two decades to studying psychedelics.
Dyck highlighted that although music festivals are recreational spaces where these substances are prevalent, they also serve as environments where people actively seek to support one another and minimize potential harms. Kenneth Tupper, an adjunct professor at the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia, is collaborating on the research initiative. He noted that drug checking initiatives originated in Canada within the context of music festivals.
Tupper explained that drug testing practices gained traction in Canada around 2016 due to the toxic drug crisis, which was declared a public health emergency in British Columbia. The British Columbia Centre on Substance Use introduced a portable FTIR spectrometer for drug testing purposes in approximately 2017, making it suitable for use at festivals like Shambhala and Bass Coast.
The inaugural Regina Exchange Folk Festival, which took place recently, prioritized harm reduction and safety measures during its preparations. Zandra Kaszas, the festival’s artistic director, emphasized the importance of being proactive in ensuring a safe environment for attendees. In addition to standard safety protocols such as security and hydration stations, the festival featured the Nēwo Yōtina Friendship Centre (NYFC) with a naloxone station for overdose emergencies.
Tupper emphasized that drug testing services provide individuals with valuable information to make informed decisions regarding drug use. Additionally, counseling services can be instrumental in helping individuals navigate their experiences, potentially saving lives. The research project led by Dyck aims to document the harm reduction strategies employed at festivals to contribute to a comprehensive archive of knowledge for future reference and discussions.