Description:

'Harm Reduction 101' Harm reduction is a set of strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with admittedly risky behavior, including illicit drug use. Harm Reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in the fundamental civil rights of people who use drugs. Mitchell Gomez will host this 'introduction to harm reduction' talk, with an open Q&A at the end. Today, electronic music is the fastest growing youth culture, and the community DanceSafe serves stretches far and wide. Current programs and initiatives aim to provide safe spaces to engage in conversations about health, drug use, and personal safety; provide free water, electrolytes, safe sex tools, and ear plugs at EDM events; provide honest, fact-based, unbiased information on drug effects and potential harms; offer nonjudgmental first-point of contact to risky or challenging situations; offer drug checking services to prevent overdoses and death; and work with promoters and local stakeholders to advocate for safety first approaches. Come hear Mitchell from DanceSafe talk about harm reduction in general, and it's application to Burn Culture (as well as unique challenges of the Playa).