So, it has taken me a while to write this due to not knowing what to write about, and this post may turn into a ramble. Anyway, let’s get into it! I figured I would talk about harm reduction because that is something I am a big advocate for. Harm reduction is the practice of intentionally making choices to be safer in harmful behaviors. One example of this is using condoms for hookups. It is not often seen as harm reduction because of how normalised hookup culture is. You can still get hurt emotionally from hookups, but condoms make it less likely to get pregnant or transmit STDs. I personally volunteer in the realm of harm reduction by means of being lead of the medical team for a local rave collective. People will inevitably get too drunk, or take too much of a substance or get dehydrated at a rave, and our job is to assist these people and help keep them safe. There are risks to drinking such as impaired judgement that can make it more hazardous to get to your ride, or posing a health hazard by vomiting everywhere, and we mitigate that by helping people to their rides, providing and holding trash bags and monitoring people that black out. Every med volunteer has narcan (an opiate overdose reversal agent) due to the prevalence of laced substances, and is educated on how to use it. We also provide and assist with testing for fentanyl and xylazine in substances. These things prevent and respond to overdose. In terms of other substances, we also have syringes and clean straws. We cannot mitigate the risks that the drugs will have on the body, but we can at least respond to its effects. People often demonise harm reduction, calling it enabling but that really is not the case. There is so much stigma around drug use, often seeing addicts as less than human, or not worthy of help because they “did it to themselves.” This completely overlooks the societal and personal reasons as to why someone started using substances. Another thing that surprises people is the fact I don’t preach sobriety to anyone despite being in a twelve-step program. When working in the medical tent, I ask people seeking help what substances they may have taken so I can better assist them. I have to explain that am not going to judge or get anyone in trouble, I just need to know so I can better monitor symptoms and assist. The fact that people are hesitant to tell a medical volunteer at an event that is very against law enforcement presence what they have taken speaks a lot to the stigma around drugs, as well as how prison-happy law enforcement is. People are inevitably going to drink, use drugs and have sex, no matter what our personal opinions on it, but we can help these people be safer. When it comes to people with substance use disorders or chronically use a substance, I have the mentality of keeping them alive long enough to choose to change their ways, we cannot force sobriety on anyone. (If anyone is interested in narcan training or obtaining narcan, please let me know, I can connect you with resources.)