SafeRaveNYC, a Brooklyn-based harm-reduction organisation, has launched its services. The aim of the group is to offer services such as drug testing kits, safe sex products, ear protection, and naxolone to prevent overdoses, sexual violence prevention materials, and peer-led drug education. SafeRaveNYC is focused on clubbers and BIPOC and LGBTQ+ events to provide support services to marginalised people who may not always have access to the assistance they may require.
SafeRaveNYC was founded by Jared Skolnik, who previously worked with DanceSafe. While DanceSafe does excellent work, Skolnik said that there was a need for a local group that could provide services beyond the rigid template that DanceSafe had. SafeRaveNYC’s mission is to offer harm-reduction services in any way it can, believing that only a localised, community-focused organisation can provide these kinds of services.
SafeRaveNYC is hosting its services at House of Yes on the first Thursday of each month. In addition, there are other harm reduction services in New York, including the Alliance LES Harm Reduction Centre and the National Harm Reduction Coalition, the latter also being based in Brooklyn.
The announcement of SafeRaveNYC comes on the heels of the news that the UK’s first drug-checking service has launched in Bristol. The Loop, a harm-reduction charity, will run on the last Saturday of every month. The UK government has been criticised for not doing enough to support drug testing at festivals. Research conducted by the University of Liverpool shows that drug-checking services make festivals safer. However, the Home Office retracted its support for drug testing at festivals in June 2023, a decision that was criticised by industry insiders
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