A brand new research revealed within the Hurt Discount Journal inspecting drug-checking practices at music festivals has revealed a posh net of limitations stopping attendees from testing substances for security.
The analysis surveyed 227 attendees of Sonic Bloom, a four-day EDM competition in Colorado, about their use of drug-checking instruments, together with reagent check kits and fentanyl check strips. Accepted by Colorado State College’s Institutional Assessment Board, the findings recommend that whereas drug-checking instruments characterize a promising hurt discount technique, a number of systemic challenges restrict their effectiveness in real-world settings like music festivals.
The research highlights an absence of schooling about testing procedures, which has led to “a critical need to reduce barriers” for the “at-risk population” of festival-goers regardless of a rise in public well being campaigns about substance contamination.
Monetary limitations emerged as a main concern, with almost 8% of members citing the price of reagent check kits as prohibitive, whereas about 7% discovered fentanyl check strips too costly. Extra considerably, roughly one in 4 members struggled to acquire testing supplies in any respect.
“No access to free test strips in my entire county,” mentioned one 28-year-old lady surveyed within the research.
Even when attendees possessed testing supplies, the competition environments themselves created obstacles. Climate situations, notably wind, made out of doors testing particularly troublesome for powdered substances. Greater than 11% of members cited competition restrictions as limitations, noting that many occasions prohibit drug-checking providers or ban testing provides fully.
“Some festivals do not allow testing kit sales or the entrance of them—this should be allowed to curate a better experience,” mentioned one respondent.
The shortage of safe, sterile testing areas at festivals additional difficult efforts to examine substances safely. A number of members expressed frustration with having to conduct testing in uncovered, unsanitary situations.
Authorized considerations additionally deterred some festival-goers from utilizing testing instruments. Contributors reported confusion in regards to the legality of possessing reagent kits and fentanyl strips, with some believing the supplies may very well be categorised as drug paraphernalia.
“In some states it’s a felony to carry test kits,” famous a 31-year-old participant, although the authorized standing of testing supplies varies considerably by jurisdiction.
You’ll find the complete research within the Hurt Discount Journal.
