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(Prime Time Crime exclusive July 3, 2015)
Summer Music Festival Safety Plan for Canada
By
Eve
Summer is here and a string of music festivals are set to make it one of the most memorable in Canada. However, festival season can also mean trouble: in 2014, five deaths at Canadian festivals have lead the Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse to release a report detailing preventive measures (.pdf) against drug- and alcohol-related risks at large public events.
The report was drafted by a group of experts from various specialties, including harm reduction, toxicology, substance use epidemiology, festival production, etc. Various viewpoints were required to identify the major risks which occur at large-scale events, and to determine an appropriate response.
1. Event organization and design:
The authors of the report stated that community health services and event organizers should meet and set up adequate resources and facilities to ensure festivalgoers remain hydrated; potable water be available for free. For this purpose, a minimum number of spigots per number of festival attendees should be provided, and these should be placed in strategically valid places. Sanitation resources should also be made available.
2. Promotion of health and harm reduction:
Specific
areas should be set up, separate from the crowd, called ‘safe’ or ‘chill’
spaces. Here, those who have used substances can relax and seek any help
they may need, and get away from noise and activity when they are
experiencing undesirable
side-effects of drug use. The report stipulated that ‘trip sitting’
professionals should be available, to help those experiencing anxiety,
depression, or other mental states worsened by drug use or other factors.
Prevention is also key; information pertaining to drug abuse at
festivals should we widely spread. Finally, research into the impact of
drug checking or testing services should be considered.
3. Mass gathering medicine:
An
optimal medical response for music festivals should be arranged, said the
report; there should be better facilities for medical professionals to be
able to comfortably and efficiently attend to patients at music festivals.
It was suggested that physicians should be on-site, as well as specialists
in pre-hospital and emergency backgrounds. Plans should also be made for
areas outside of the official boundaries of the event. These include
nearby parking lots, etc. This issue can be addressed through the
establishment of a ‘fringe’ response team.
4. Enforcement and event security:
Security measures should be standardized and strengthened. Law enforcement officials and event organizers should meet and plan risk management on site, communication methods, control of traffic, medical and natural disasters and emergency responses, rules for dealing with drugs ceased during the festival, etc. Incidents involving drugs and other health concerns should be shared with event staff and stakeholders. The authors of the report noted that social media should play an important role in keeping attendees, organizers, medical staff and security services of any drug-related harms taking place.
Music Festivals in Canada in Summer 2015:
There are a
wealth of exciting festivals lined up, and it is good to know that the
Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse is working on making them safer and
more enjoyable. Some of the biggest events to watch out for include the
Cavendish Beach Music Festival in July, the Pan-Am Games in July and
August, Interstellar Rodeo in July and August and the Hillside Festival in
July. There are many more events to keep you entertained; make sure you
have a safe and enjoyable time and watch out for your friends as well as
yourself.