Music festivals focus on harm reduction efforts as B.C.'s toxic drug crisis enters 10th summer

Thousands of people will roll up to music festivals all over B.C. this summer in search of some great tunes, good vibes and a little escape. 

For some, that may include the use of drugs. 

"Live music festivals and substance consumption, I think, have gone hand-in-hand for a long time," said Stacey Forrester with the Bass Coast Music Festival. "If we think about my parents' generation and Woodstock, it's not a new phenomenon that people consume alcohol or other drugs at a music event."

What has changed, however, is just how toxic illicit drugs can be.

That's where people like Forrester, the festival's harm reduction manager, come in. She's been preparing all year for her festival, which is being held this weekend in Merritt, B.C.

"It's really important to me that we implement measures and talk about safety to our community throughout the whole year," said Forrester. "It's not just the [harm reduction] tent that keeps you safe, but rather we are helping our patrons build their own skills."

Forrester is one of the many festival organizers focusing on harm reduction across the province, as B.C.'s toxic drug crisis persists into its 10th year.

In the two months leading up to the festival, Forrester's team has increased messaging around harm reduction and making drug use safer; things like consent and access to water are included in that, but the main focus is on safer consumption. 

One of the biggest parts of that is drug testing. 

In 2024, the Bass Coast and Shambhala festivals alone tested more than 4,800 samples. 

About nine per cent of all drugs tested did not match what the person expected. About 11.3 per cent of samples were unknown — that is, the intended user didn't actually know what it was to begin with. 

But, Forrester said, just because a drug isn't what someone expected doesn't mean they choose not to take it. 

"Not all adulterants are necessarily detrimental or unsafe. Some things are cut with things like sugar into the sample, which isn't necessarily a risky sample," she said. "Drug checking is about giving people the informed choice to decide to consume it, to decide to dispose of it, to use less of it, to use more of it."

But it's not just about drug testing; Forrester is also educating festival-goers about things like what signs to watch for for an overdose or poisoning and how to reduce the risk of running into trouble. 

A medical team is on site to provide care if things do take a turn, she said. 

While Bass Coast and Shambhala are two of the biggest festivals working hard on harm reduction, other festivals around the province are too: Rifflandia, FVDED in the Park and Otherworld are just a few of the many. 

Even the provincial government is putting out information to protect people. A webpage has been established to remind people about safer drug use, with tips like never using alone, making sure you know where things like first aid and water are, not mixing substances and checking drugs. 

Forrester said harm reduction at festivals is a "microcosm for how we can show up with each other in the world."

"From my harm reduction lens, I am really here to show people that wherever you sit on the use spectrum, whether your drug of choice is alcohol or something else, you deserve to be cared for, and you deserve resources that can keep you and your loved ones safe."