What's in Your Baggie? Drug Checking & Harm Reduction

“Harm reduction is a set of ideas and interventions that seek to reduce the harms associated with both drug use and ineffective, racialized drug policies” - Drug Policy Alliance

Tobey and Elizabeth share what they have learned from over 10 years of experience providing psychedelic peer-support at festivals. This presentation will offer an introduction to the world of harm reduction, demonstrate substance testing, and discuss psychedelic benefit maximization.

Harm reduction is more of an attitude than any single intervention. This presentation will review the history of Harm Reduction and its intersection with psychedelics. We will provide actionable steps towards keeping you and your community safer.

While we can’t know exactly what we are buying from the black market, reagent testing can provide some clues to reduce the risk of consuming bath salts, amphetamines or other undesired adulterants in powders, pills and paper. It is one of the most accessible tools used to identify unknown substances for the home user. We will teach and demonstrate the use of a 4 test reagent panel, live.

Fentanyl overdoses are now the number one cause of death for adults between 18 and 45 years old in the U.S. As part of our discussion on substance testing, we will teach how to use fentanyl testing strips to scan for fentanyl contamination. We will also discuss what to do in the unfortunate incident of an opiate overdose.Once the risk of harm is reduced with these simple tools, benefit maximization can be pursued in a healing context. Psychedelic benefit maximization focuses on strategies and techniques to get the most out of an entheogenic session.This class will:

Present an introduction to Harm Reduction principles
Teach the basics of home reagent & fentanyl testing
Discuss Psychedelic Benefit Maximization
Provide reagent testing - time permitting

Purchase of this class includes: a recording of the program, digital resource guide, and fentanyl test strip specific video, sent out after the class.

Disclaimer

Altered States Integration is not therapy and is not intended as a substitute for other types of counseling or medical care. We are not licensed therapists and do not claim to diagnose, treat, or cure diseases. We are peer coaches providing a safe space for clients to process the contents of their experience(s) and receive feedback with reflective listening.

Altered States Integration does NOT encourage or condone the purchase, sale or transfer of any illegal substances, nor do they encourage or condone partaking in any unlawful activities related to illegal substances. Please refer to your country, state, and city laws regarding use of psychedelics and alternative substances.