Abstract
BackgroundDance festivals have been shown to be high-risk events for use of drugs such as ecstasy/MDMA and possible adverse effects associated with use. However, few studies have examined what makes festivals such risky environments. We aimed to determine festival-specific risk factors for adverse outcomes related to drug use.MethodsIn-depth interviews were conducted with 35 key informants in North America who deemed themselves experts in new psychoactive substances, and identified as drug checkers, sellers, or experienced users. Interviews were coded in an inductive manner, and we conducted thematic analysis to identify relevant themes.ResultsWe identified four main themes focusing on festival attendance as a risk factor for risky drug use and related outcomes: attendees inexperienced with electronic dance music parties and party drugs, risky drug purchasing, risky drug use practices, and festival-specific environmental risk factors. Festivals attract a wide array of people not experienced with party drugs, yet drugs like ecstasy are commonly sought by such individuals inside festivals. Relying on strangers inside to purchase drugs is a risk factor for purchasing adulterated product. Fear of security/police at festivals leads to risky drug-taking such as ingesting one’s full batch of drugs at the entrance. These risks are compounded by environmental factors including crowding, hot temperature, and lack of water (which lead to dehydration), long/consecutive event days (which can lead to exhaustion), and inadequate medical emergency response.ConclusionsWe determined modifiable risk factors which can both inform future research and future prevention and harm reduction efforts in this scene.
Highlights
Dance festivals have been shown to be high-risk events for use of drugs such as ecstasy/MDMA and possible adverse effects associated with use
A purposive sample of 35 adult key informants was recruited through study flyers on social media and on drug information message board websites commonly frequented by psychonauts
A particular focus was on individuals experienced with drug use in nightlife and electronic dance music (EDM) festival scenes, with nightlife most commonly referring to late-night nightclub scenes
Summary
Dance festivals have been shown to be high-risk events for use of drugs such as ecstasy/MDMA and possible adverse effects associated with use. Dance festivals featuring electronic dance music (EDM) have increased in popularity in the USA and throughout much of the world [1]. Beginning in the late 1980s, all-night illegal EDM dance parties called raves became popular [2, 3]. These large underground parties, which originated in the UK, were fueled by Palamar and Sönmez Harm Reduction Journal (2022) 19:12 often held openly on government property. While festivals do often attract underground ravers, a much wider, general audience attends
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