*Editor’s note: The Vanguard neither encourages nor condones the use of drugs. We simply want to inform those partaking in the act.
The fact is, drug and alcohol use at events has become a normative part of the festival and nightlife culture. Whether you’re attending a three-day event or a one-night show, the likelihood you’ll come across legal or illegal paraphernalia is practically a given. What isn’t a norm—yet should be much more involved—is the promotion of safe drug use.
Harm reduction
DanceSafe is a public health organization that advocates for health and safety within the nightlife and electronic dance music community. DS is based on two fundamental operating principles: “Harm reduction and peer based, popular education.” They have chapters spread throughout the U.S. and Canada.
As opposed to suppressing drug use, DS promotes empowerment of young adults to make healthy, informed decisions. Eliminating any biases and judgements, DS distributes educational literature to inform of the effects and risks, and provides pill testing at events.
The Reducing Americans’ Vulnerability to Ecstasy Act was proposed in the Senate in 2002 during the 107th Congress and sponsored by Senator Joseph Biden. The purpose of the act was, “A bill to prohibit an individual from knowingly opening, maintaining, managing, controlling, renting, leasing, making available for use, or profiting from any place for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, or using any controlled substance, and for other purpose.”
Although the 2002 bill didn’t pass, in 2003 the Senate and House of Representatives passed the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act (formerly known as the RAVE Act). The law has made it illegal for people to openly know, lease, rent, or maintain—permanently or temporarily—any place for the purpose of using, distributing or manufacturing any controlled substance.
Portland chapter head for DS Chalaina Connors has been a volunteer since 1999. She believes that DS has had difficulty integrating their services into events due to the 2003 RAVE Act. “It basically made electronic music events—that have harm reduction services—be at risk of being shut down, owners being arrested or fined, etc.,” Connors said. “By having harm reduction services, the promoter is admitting that they are aware drug use is happening, and therefore could be subject to all the negative effects. Although this has never happened because DanceSafe was present, the threat of it being possible is why some promoters won’t allow us at events. If we could amend the RAVE Act, it could allow us to freely go into all the events we are needed at.”
Like DS, many oppose the act and believe it is actually doing more harm than good.
Dede Goldsmith is the mother of Shelley who passed away due to heat stroke at an electronic dance music concert in Washington, D.C. after taking MDMA (a form of ecstasy). Since her daughter’s passing, Goldsmith has started a website titled, “Amend the RAVE Act!” The site allows people to sign a petition enacting legislation to amend the 2003 Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act.
Goldsmith believes that the RAVE Act is a contributing factor to many young people dying due to the use of drugs. “[The] 2003 RAVE Act is part of the problem because it is preventing the implementation of common sense safety measures at these events,” according to Goldsmith’s website. “It is time for a safety first approach to drug use that emphasizes harm reduction alongside current law enforcement efforts.”
Oregon drug laws
In the state of Oregon, although possession of marijuana is no longer a criminal charge, possession of other drugs can lead to jail time and hefty fines. The charge and penalties one may face is dependent on the drug they are found in possession of.
[ILLUSTRATOR MAKING INFO GRAPHIC FOR DRUG PENALTIES IN THE STATE OF OREGON]
When deciding to participate in the act of taking illegal substances, be sure you are with people you feel safe with and in an environment you are comfortable in. Stay informed on what you are ingesting and ensure that you trust those you are taking the substance from.
