Kansas City’s Rave Safe: Offering Harm Reduction Supplies at Summer Concerts and Festivals
As summer concerts and festivals swing into full gear in Kansas City, a not-for-profit organization, KC Rave Safe, has stepped into the spotlight, ensuring patrons can enjoy these events responsibly and safely. Steered by Andi Thomason, who founded the group back in October 2023, Rave Safe provides harm reduction supplies including Narcan and fentanyl test strips, empowering concert-goers with tools to keep themselves safe.
A Life-Saving Initiative
The initiation of Rave Safe happened after a terrifying episode where Thomason had to administer Narcan to a stranger at a music festival experiencing a drug overdose. The incident sparked a deep desire in Thomason to enhance festival safety measures, leading to the formation of a group dedicated to harm reduction – an effort by “ravers for ravers.”
The distinctive service that KC Rave Safe extends is not limited to supplying Narcan and fentanyl test strips alone. They also make available essential resources like condoms, instant ice packs, Tylenol, menstrual products and Chapstick. “Making sure that we have accessibility for Narcan and making sure we are testing our substances, destigmatizing what that means, and making sure people are aware that it’s okay to ask for help,” Infers Thomason.
Beyond Kansas City
Currently, Rave Safe stations itself at two to three concerts per week around Kansas City. However, the team is far from complacent. Proactively looking to the future, they aim to mark their presence in other areas like St. Louis and Lawrence by the end of the year. As it stands, wherever they are needed, they strive to be available and provide necessary aid.
Jessica Huggins, a volunteer with Rave Safe, outlines the importance of their work by saying, “We’re putting it directly in the hands of people where they need it.” She reveals instances where having a Narcan at hand has been lifesaving. Experiencing the positive change that the EDM community brought to her life after years of battling substance abuse, she joined Rave Safe to give back and educate others about the perils of drug use and promote awareness.
Inspiring Responsibility in Rave Culture
The rave culture has been synonymous with the principles of peace, love, unity and respect. With Rave Safe, Thomason hopes to inject an additional “R” into the mix – responsibility. Responsibility towards personal safety and towards sustaining a culture that promises fun without risking health and wellbeing.
This summer, festival-goers at Dacefestopia and the Phantom Music Festival can expect to see Rave Safe booths, offering it’s crucial and invaluable services. Primarily operating on donations and tirelessly managed by volunteers, the non-profit welcomes those who are interested in supporting their cause to reach out to them.
Looking Forward – Let’s Rave Safe
In coming together as a community to support the harm reduction initiatives of KC Rave Safe, concert-goers can ensure safer, more enjoyable experiences at their favourite music festivals and events. The promising efforts of Rave Safe are reshaping the narrative on substance use and safety at concerts, transforming the lives of many music enthusiasts in Kansas City and beyond.
