So as some of you know, I’m down in Miami right now attending Rolling Loud festival. This is the first festival I’ve gone to in awhile, the last one being Pitchfork last summer. I’ve been going to concerts and festivals for as long as I can remember. And I usually only go with friends my age so there’s no one really giving us any rules or boundaries. I’ve certainly seen my fair share of horrors at music festivals over the years. It’s from these experiences, that I’ve learned the negative aspects and how to avoid them. Once you, too, are aware of them, you can focus more on what really matters which is enjoying the music! Below, I’ll just list some good advice I’ve picked up along the way:
- Never take drugs from strangers! I’ve seen it a million times over, people passing around weed, molly, coke, you name it. People who are high themselves, wanting to share the “fun.” I have a friend who took a hit off a joint being passed around. Turns out, it was laced with PCP or LSD (he’s still not sure) and accidentally spent the rest of the evening tripping without his knowledge or consent; not a fun experience!
- Never buy drugs from strangers! I’m not going to tell you to not do drugs (or to do them, for that matter.) I figure if you’re planning on doing so, some blog post probably isn’t going to stop you. I do ask, however, that you please think twice before purchasing drugs from a stranger at a festival: You never know what they might be cut or laced with. I had a friend in high school who bought some drugs from someone, took a really low dose and almost had a seizure. When she later had the drugs tested, she found out they were laced with meth and codeine..
- Test your drugs. If you are going to do molly, know that there are testing kits you can buy online to test what is in your molly. It’s a good idea to test whatever drug you’re going to do before you do it. Once again, I’m not encouraging drug use at all. I think it’s better if you don’t do it. But– and this is something our drug education system as well as sex ed lacks– abstinence only education doesn’t properly prepare people should you decide to try it. Some people will try drugs, it’s an inevitability. And for some reason, our parents and schools find it convenient to ignore this. And instead of giving us real advice in case we do partake in such activities, they bury their heads in the sand, while we go through the hazards of figuring it out on our own. Most MDMA is cut with meth, codeine, and lots of other drugs that can cause you to hallucinate. Please test it!
- Alcohol safety. It’s important, as a young female myself, to know that date rape drugs are real. Don’t take drinks from strangers. And if you ever set your drink down do not pick it up later. Trust me, another $8 drink is worth not having drugs in your last one.
- Hydrate Hydrate!! Most of the best festivals are in sunny climates: Miami was in the 80’s today! And standing in a huge mosh pit, things can get hot and you can overheat easily. Bring water, bring money to buy water, and drink a lot! You don’t want to get dehydrated.
- Make a meeting spot. A lot of the time at festivals the cell service is shit. My phone normally doesn’t work at them. So make a meeting spot in case you and your friends lose each other. Easy ones are by the bathrooms, entrance, food carts, etc.
Don’t roam around alone. I used to do this a lot when I was younger and learned from experience that there are a lot of creeps at festivals. It’s just better to have a buddy. - Have a sober buddy. If you and your friends are doing any drugs or drinking, it’s smart to have a friend who stays sober or even tell a friend or family member (who’s chill with it) that you’re doing what you’re doing. That way, they can keep in touch just in case anything happens.
- Be careful who you trust! A lot of drug dealers will tell you they tested the drugs. Don’t trust them: make sure yourself, and buy from a trusted source.
- Ask for help!! Never be afraid to ask for help. I know if you’re on something, you’re going to think you’re gonna get in trouble if you need help (going to a cop or festival worker), but if you need help, get it! Safety first always.!They are there to help you. If you or a friend needs medical attention, please seek it. Don’t worry about getting in trouble.
- If you see someone who needs help, help them. I’ve been at festivals and seen people clearly tripping or curled up not having a good time. If someone looks really unwell, ask them if they need help. And then get a festival worker! Don’t turn a blind eye. Especially at outdoor festivals, where drugs raise your body heat and alcohol dehydrates you.
- Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable or get a bad feeling, trust it. Don’t wander around alone and stay in well-lit areas.
- And lastly, have fun! I really hope that these come in handy.