TAKE FIVE: 5 TIPS FOR SAFER FESTIVALS
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of going to a music festival, but rushing into things doesn’t give us a chance to think critically about our plans for the weekend. That’s why before getting on it, before getting to the festival, before even packing your bags, we suggest you step back and think about what you want out of your party.
We’ve pulled together what we think are 5 of the most important things to consider, to make sure your festival is as safe and enjoyable as possible. By taking a few simple steps you can do as little damage to yourself as possible while maxing on enjoyment. It's about respecting your body, listening to your limitations, being a good friend and being empowered by evidence about safer ways to use drugs.
#1: SET + SETTING
How do you feel, where are you going, what are you taking?
Set and setting refers to the two most important things to think about when taking drugs (especially psychedelics) - your mindset, and the setting that you’re taking drugs in.
Consider your mindset: Do you feeling like partying? Maybe you’ve been upset or unwell recently? If so, don’t push yourself. If you are unwell, you may be setting yourself up for a bad drug experience. Drugs and alcohol often enhance the mood you are in, and if you are feeling down or unwell, you may just be magnifying those feelings.
What’s the setting? Are you taking drugs at a house party, a large commercial event with police and security, or a multi-day festival you’re camping at? Different settings require different considerations. Do some research. What kind of facilities are at the event? Can you get healthy food, or do you need to take some? Is there a medical/ first aid provider?
As well as first aid, most music festivals in NSW will have a crowd care service, such as DanceWize NSW or similar. The people who run these services are there to help, not bust you! Make sure you know where they are located, in case you or someone around you needs help at any point.
Shout-out to Timothy Leary for this great tip, amongst other things!
#2: MATCH YOUR DRUGS TO THE EVENT
Make sure you have all the info on your substance(s) of choice and the music event you’re attending.
Have you tested the substances you are going to take, to make sure you know what they are? It’s important to know about any substances you may choose to take prior to taking them. Some helpful things to think about include:
Research your drugs and the event, to make sure they are a match! Do your drugs suit the music? Maybe you should reconsider taking uppers if you’re attending a low-key family folk festival. The reverse is also true - you definitely want to avoid K-holing in a moshpit.
What drugs are your friends taking? It's always more fun to be at the same level as your friends and be able to support each other.
Have you had the drug before? It's better to use substances you know or have tried before. Seek guidance from your peers if you haven’t tried it, but they have. You can also research the effects of drugs online. Dancewize NSW’s website (dancewizensw.org.au), erowid.org, reddit.com and bluelight.org are great places to start.
It's always best to buy from a trusted and reliable source. Taking your chances at a festival and buying from someone you don't know doesn't always work out. You won't know the strength, and you might get ripped off or end up with something other than what you wanted. If the gear is unknown, try a little bit first. You can have more later.
If you’re using more than one substance, make sure you do the research on potential effects of combinations. Think about any prescription medication you may be on and whether they can be mixed with other substances or alcohol. The more different drugs you take, the bigger burden on your body and the more likely you may feel unwell or have an overdose. Adding alcohol adds a lot of extra pressure on your body.
Think about the party start and finish times and how long your ride is going to last. You don’t want to find yourself experiencing a 24-hour high at an
8-hour party! Nor do you want to be peaking while you are still in line or trashed before your favourite DJ even hits the stage.
Seriously consider investing in your own drug testing kit. Reagents test kits can produce results for a range of substances, and can identify dangerous adulterants.
#3: SORT THE MECHANICS
Wear comfortable clothes and comfortable shoes! Your drug of choice may make uneven surfaces (and gravity) your enemy. Take a jacket, even if it’s hot. It can double as a cushion if you feel a bit cooked and need to sit down and chill. If you’re heading to a multi-day event, prepare for all seasons and always have a dry pair of socks!
Check the weather forecast. At single day events if it’s warm, but there’s a chance of rain then take a plastic poncho. They are cheap, don’t weigh much, and can make a big difference to your comfort. Have water on you always; wear your drink bottle like an accessory. Remember to have a salty snack on you because the combo of dancing and stimulants means you will lose body salts. You only need
a teaspoonful of salt so a packet of salted peanuts in your pocket will work. Don’t guzzle water or get obsessed with rehydrating. But don’t let yourself get too thirsty either. Just drink normally.
If you’re attending a one day/night event, consider how you’ll get home and whether you’ll have to travel while high. Can you sleepover at a mates, or do you have a lift sorted? Is there someone you can call if you get in a spot who’ll pay a cab at the other end or pick you up? Despite your best plans, things do go wrong, so have a plan B.
If you’re attending a multiday festival, set up your campsite before you take anything! Tent poles and tarps can put up a fight under even in the most comfortable of settings and you want to have your campsite set up before you start to party so you have your own chill out space ready. This can be a place to go rest once you’ve had enough adventure for one night, but it’s also a safer and more private place if you’re choosing to take drugs too.
#4: PRE AND POST-PARTY CARE
Pre-loading on drugs or alcohol can seem like a good idea in terms of saving money and not being sniffed out by a dog. However, doing so could potentially wreck your experience (and yourself!). You can end up peaking way too early or feeling ill from having too much at once.
If you want to ‘pre-load’ then do it on sleep, vitamins and food! Healthy nutrition, hydration, and regular sleep is the magic triad for enjoying music and using drugs in a safer way. Anyone who uses stimulants may need supplements of magnesium, potassium, vitamin B, and vitamin C or other minerals or vitamins. Have a look at our supplement guide on page 32, but do your own research about the best ways to bounce back after your drug of choice.
When it’s time to party, make sure you have a balanced meal before you put drugs in your body – you probably won’t be feeling hungry for a couple of hours at least after your drop, even if you need to eat.
After the partying is done, the best thing to do is get plenty of rest! Know that you may feel a bit flat or depressed after partying and have some recovery plans in place. Whether you choose to relax with friends or alone, make sure your bed is comfy, your room is clean, you’ve got some fruit stocked in and you have made the time to relax and enjoy. In general, be nice to yourself and let yourself get heaps of sleep. Try take a flexi or a rostered day off if you work, so you can collapse without having to call in sick on the Monday.
#5: THE BUDDY SYSTEM
The buddy system is the best way to stay as safe as possible while using drugs.
Make a deal with a friend or a group of friends to watch out for each other and stick together. Babysitting your mate when they get too loose is one of the most important things you can do, both for your friend and for others at the festival.
A big part of harm reduction is about community; people who use drugs looking out for and taking care of one another. Prohibition means that drugs are overwhelmingly discussed as a criminal issue, rather than a health issue. This criminalisation results in stigma and discrimination towards people who use drugs, which can be a barrier for people getting trustworthy information about drugs or accessing health services.
The peer education model is a positive counter-force. Practice harm reduction and be a positive role model to your peers. Share your knowledge with your friends.
It’s worth sharing your concerns if a friend is being unsafe and needs to pull up. Watch out for each other. Your response in these situations may save a life, or solidify friendships that will last a lifetime!