Free Staff Training Available
In addition to our Patron Safety Training, we also offer a free version designed specifically for festival and event staff.
This training helps staff and crew understand their role in supporting a safe and inclusive environment, and provides practical tools for responding to incidents onsite.
To request access, please get in touch with us at info@afa.net.au
HARM REDUCTION INFORMATION
Drugs
The Drug, The Person, and The Place
The effect a drug will have on the user – positive or negative – depends on a variety of factors, but can broadly be summarised into three groups: The Drug, The Person, and the Place.
Various factors of the consumed drug will impact the effect on the user:
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Chosen drug (and whether the substance is what you intended to consume)
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Poly-use (combining multiple drugs)
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Frequency of use
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Amount used
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Purity of drug
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Route of administration (orally, inhaled, injected etc)
Various factors of the user will impact the effect of the drug when they use it:
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General health of the person
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Body size
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State of Hydration
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Pre-existing medical conditions
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Use of other medications
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Experience with the drug
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Knowledge of the drug
The Place refers to external factors that can influence a person’s experience when using a drug. Examples of the place are:
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Location of the experience
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Intensity of stimuli
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Control over stimuli
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Social group person is with
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Temperature
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Humidity
Other Harm Reduction
De-escalation
People subconsciously mirror each other’s behaviours and energy levels. This means if you bring aggressive energy, or meet someone else’s aggressive energy with aggression- you will get…. more aggression! If you consciously lower your energy level and remain calm, they are likely to follow suit.
You can do this by:
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Slowing your breathing and bringing your awareness to your body
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Do not launch into an attack or a defence, even if they are super wrong, take a moment of silence.
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Gentle eye contact – be mindful that intense eye contact may be threatening.
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Body language – relaxed, open hands, humble expression
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Be mindful of your triggers, reactions, and how you personally deal with conflict. Here’s a hint – very few people in the world deal with conflict and criticism well – myself included.
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Sometimes standing at an angle rather than front on can be less aggressive
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Leaving the situation
Disarming is to take the heat/risk out of a situation or conversation. To better approach a tense, agitated or aggressive patron, try to remember the following phrase:
Thank F*ck for Vexatious Guy’s Advice.
T – Thanking someone for their confrontation
F – Finding some truth in criticism
V – Validating an aggressor’s feelings
G – Giving that person undeserved credit
A – Accepting more responsibility for a situation than you might deserve
Continue to remind yourself that this is nothing to do with you and everything to do with the person in front of you who has their own unresolved traumas and grief and anger.
Often a group situation can exacerbate tensions. It may be necessary for these situations to contact management via radio and/or seek support from other staff or care teams to keep friends and bystanders calm and as distanced from the patron as possible. Try not to draw unnecessary attention that can again make a situation quite performative.
Drugs
The Drug, The Person, and The Place
Stimulants
Chosen drug (and whether the substance is what you intended to consume) Examples: amphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, caffeine, tobacco (AKA: Speed, Dexxies, Meth, Ice, Tina, Shard, Coke, Blow, Pingas, Dingas, Caps, Coffee) Stimulants are drugs that have a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. This means there are increased transmitters in the brain and from your brain to your body, making your body and mind more active. Effects include: Increased heart rate & breathing Increased body temperature Dilated pupils Increased muscle tension Increased sensitivity/alertness to stimuli Confusion Decreased appetite Short-term energy boost Increased sociability sexual desire and performance Caring for someone under the influence of a stimulant: Encourage help-seeking behaviour including; peer-based support onsite medical services including ambulance call Triple Zero (000) Find out what the person has had, how much, and when the last dose was taken Reassure the person Watch for changes Remain calm, patient, and supportive Avoid hostile or aggressive tone and/or stance Encourage them to sip water – monitor, how much they consume Do not douse them in water If in doubt at any time do not hesitate to seek medical attention. Signs requiring medical assistance or referral to emergency medical service: The person is not conscious of their behaviour The person’s breathing has changed They have signs of heart problems They are showing signs of drug overdose: Hot and can’t cool down Clammy skin Dry, red (or pale), hot skin (stopped sweating) Dry mouth Blue/purple lips Eyes rolling back/obvious eye ‘wobbles’ Foot/leg is uncontrollably shaking Rigid muscles Unable to walk unassisted Locked jaw or repeated jaw clenching (even if otherwise well)
Serotonin Syndrome
Poly-use (combining multiple drugs)Serotonin syndrome is a potentially deadly condition that can occur after using some stimulant drugs- particularly MDMA. Some signs and symptoms include (but are not exclusive or limited to): Agitation or restlessness Confusion Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure Dilated pupils Loss of muscle coordination or twitching muscles Muscle rigidity (stiffness) Heavy sweating- a very important sign, even on hot days Diarrhea Headache Shivering Goosebumps Severe serotonin syndrome can be life-threatening. Severe signs and symptoms include: High fever Seizures Irregular heartbeat Unconsciousness You should immediately seek medical attention for anyone with the above symptoms
The Drug, The Person, and The Place
People subconsciously mirror each other’s behaviours and energy levels. This means if you bring aggressive energy, or meet someone else’s aggressive energy with aggression- you will get…. more aggression! If you consciously lower your energy level and remain calm, they are likely to follow suit. You can do this by: Slowing your breathing and bringing your awareness to your body Do not launch into an attack or a defence, even if they are super wrong, take a moment of silence. Gentle eye contact – be mindful that intense eye contact may be threatening. Body language – relaxed, open hands, humble expression Be mindful of your triggers, reactions, and how you personally deal with conflict. Here’s a hint – very few people in the world deal with conflict and criticism well – myself included. Sometimes standing at an angle rather than front on can be less aggressive Leaving the situation Disarming is to take the heat/risk out of a situation or conversation. To better approach a tense, agitated or aggressive patron, try to remember the following phrase: Thank F*ck for Vexatious Guy’s Advice. T – Thanking someone for their confrontation F – Finding some truth in criticism V – Validating an aggressor’s feelings G – Giving that person undeserved credit A – Accepting more responsibility for a situation than you might deserve Continue to remind yourself that this is nothing to do with you and everything to do with the person in front of you who has their own unresolved traumas and grief and anger. Often a group situation can exacerbate tensions. It may be necessary for these situations to contact management via radio and/or seek support from other staff or care teams to keep friends and bystanders calm and as distanced from the patron as possible. Try not to draw unnecessary attention that can again make a situation quite performative.
Harm Reduction Resources
act
Peer-Based Orgs & More
Government
nsw
Peer-Based Orgs & More
Government
tas
Peer-Based Orgs & More
Government