CME. Safer Partying: Harm Reduction Strategies for Drug Use at Festivals and Nightclubs
CME. Safer Partying: Harm Reduction Strategies for Drug Use at Festivals and Nightclubs
Introduction
Adverse effects of recreational drug use are common among attendees of festivals and nightclubs, particularly those featuring electronic dance music (EDM), where substances like alcohol, cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy/MDMA, ketamine, and others are prevalent.[1-3] Psychostimulantdrug toxicity can cause hyponatremia, rhabdomyolysis, seizures, acidosis, hyperkalemia, circulatory shock, and even multiorgan failure and death,[4] while larger doses of depressants can give rise to profound respiratory depression, hypotension, bradycardia, coma, and death.[5] Polysubstance use is of particular concern, as is the growing presence of synthetic drugs and adulterants such as fentanyl.[1-3,6,7] The risk of adverse effects may be further exacerbated by environmental factors typical of EDM parties, like dancing for hours, hot temperatures, and dehydration.[1] (Medscape, USA, Valid for credit through: 11/17/2028)