A conversation starter for new approaches and broader thinking about drug use in night life
Drugs are present in nightlife. Zero tolerance policies are unrealistic, undesirable, and push drug taking into risky corners. Meanwhile, all around us the community is pioneering harm reduction approaches that have the capacity to reconsider the way we interact with drug taking in our spaces.
This summit is for anyone involved in nightlife who is hungry for a new take on drug taking. Ravers, performers, promoters, venue managers, bar workers, welfare teams, security staff, service providers… – you are invited to come together in a space that will centre the lived reality of people who take party drugs, and the people who work and dance with and around them.
We will hear testimony* from party people who take drugs sharing their perspective on how they practice harm reduction; as well as input from nightlife workers, and their perspective on the benefits and hindrances of licensing requirements and the law. We will speak plainly about current system failures, and start to reposition ourselves within its borders as harm reduction practitioners who serve a community that is integral to our scene. We’re also really excited to be welcoming Michael from THT’s Chemsex project to the day.
The Schedule for the day is as follows:
2pm to 2:15 - Arrival and settling in
2:15- 3pm - Drug Users' Voices - A look at what's happening on the ground.
3:14 - 4pm - Nightlife Workers - Recognising different approaches.
4:15 - 5pm - Service Providers - What provisions are there?
(Please note, the schedule is subject to change)
*submissions will be anonymized