New harm reduction initiative, SafeRaveNYC, launches in Brooklyn
The organisation aims to “reach those that don’t always get the services that they need”
A new harm-reduction organisation focused on keeping nightlife safe has launched in Brooklyn.
Designed around the specific needs of the club community, SafeRaveNYC will offer services and products such as drug testing strips, naxolone, materials for safe sex, and ear protection, along with peer-led educational programmes and sexual violence prevention.
The organisation will focus on BIPOC, LQGBTIA+ and 18+ events, with the specific “aim to reach those that don’t always get the services that they need.”
Speaking to Resident Advisor, Jared Skolnick, the lead coordinator at SafeRaveNYC, shared that he founded the group after leading chapters for health and safety non-profit, DanceSafe. He hopes to provide peer education and harm-reduction services directly tailored to the local community.
“DanceSafe does incredible work, but they now have a fairly rigid template for the services they can offer,” Skolnick told RA. “Our mission is to provide harm-reduction services in any way that we can. Only a smaller, local-focused organisation can do that.”
SafeRaveNYC hosted their first kiosk at Brooklyn venue House of Yes last night (Thursday 1st February). “To everyone who turned up to chat with us, we can’t thank you enough!”, they wrote on Instagram.
“Be sure to stop by our kiosk at Brooklyn club @houseofyesnyc every first Thursday of the month to further connect, and stay tuned for future event announcements!”
Find out more about the organisation below.
Read DJ Mag's 2021 feature on the fight against the opioid crisis in US clubbing, and Lauren Flax's harm reduction programme, Last Night A Deejay Saved My Life, here.
Last week, The UK’s first regular drug-checking service launched in Bristol, run by harm-reduction charity The Loop.
