Back in November we wrote about UMass Amherst banning EDM shows after a spate of MDMA-related deaths on the East Coast. At the time Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life, Enku Gelaye, cancelled the shows that included Pretty Lights and Above and Beyond because “The Molly-taking culture at these shows is real and now exceedingly dangerous to the health and safety of concert attendees.”
As many of us know there is nothing more dangerous than ignoring the fact of drugs at raves. By banning shows on campus the university also effectively shut down the opportunity they had at the time to proactively address harm-reduction at events. Fortunately, as we’ve seen with approaches such as the USC Conscious Crew, it’s much more effective to face harm-reduction head on with education, ample water stations, and plenty of safety personnel.
We are happy to be able to say the UMass Amherst has changed their tune a bit and brought back EDM events with a big emphasis on safety. All future shows that take place in the Mullins Center on campus with have ample free water given away on the floor, increased security both inside and outside the venue, and a triage center for anyone either under the influence or in need of other medical assistance. We’ve said it before and we’ve said it again, safety personnel are there for just that, your safety.
You should never have to choose between getting help for a friend and getting in trouble, so if you see someone in need PLEASE get them help. USC’s Conscious Crew is great for this because they are not in the sometimes-intimidating EMT or police uniforms, but not every event has a great crew like this. If you’re at a show please know that the EMTs there are there for your safety and care about you.
Any time you throw an event, just from a responsibility stand point, we take that into account in terms of people potentially doing drugs at events. And so for us we’re focused on moving forward with the venues and trying to make those events as safe as possible” –Tim Benito, Co-Founder of NVConcepts
It is our hope that UMass Amherst students are able to safely enjoy EDM events on their campus for a long time to come. They are fortunate that with all of the new safety precautions added they are still allowed to bring kandi and glowsticks into the events. With EDM events only getting bigger and bigger we are hopeful that rather than put greater and greater restrictions on those who attend events organizers will instead focus on harm-reduction and keeping attendees safe.
Banning lights and other toys will only go so far, the real change will come when we acknowledge that no matter what we do drugs will make it in the venue so it’s all about taking care of each other with education, water, testing, and safety personnel that make it clear their presence is there to help us, not get us in trouble.
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