Drug Testing at Music Festivals: a Right or a Crime? Taking a Harm Reduction Approach to Protect the Right Not to Be Deprived of Life

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mackenzie Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Drug Testing ◽  
Music Festivals ◽  
The Right ◽  
Reduction Approach

scholarly journals Complicating Theory through Practice: Affirming the Right to Die for Suicidal People

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 89-110
Author(s):  
Grace Wedlake
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Right To Die ◽  
Theory To Practice ◽  
Epistemic Violence ◽  
Desire To Die ◽  
The Right ◽  
Prevention Methods ◽  
Reduction Approach

Currently, suicidality is inadequately engaged with in suicide prevention methods. The key focus is on preventing people from dying, rather than validating suicidal ideation as a legitimate experience. As Alexandre Baril (2017; 2018; 2002) argues, in this refusal to validate suicidality, suicidal people are subjected to suicidism – a term Baril coined to describe the oppression suicidal people face which silences them and views their desire to die as illegitimate. Baril (2017) argues for a harm reduction approach to suicide which not only recognizes the validity of suicidality, but also supports suicidal people should they choose to die. In this paper, I seek to highlight Baril’s argument on affirming the choices of suicidal people through an engagement with three of his ideas: epistemic violence, biopower, and the injunction to happiness. While I agree with Baril’s harm reduction approach to suicide, I also contend that his argument becomes more complex when shifting from theory to practice. Therefore, alongside Baril’s work, I highlight the work of Kai Cheng Thom, who recognizes that failing to fight for suicidal people is equally as ableist as failing to listen to them.

scholarly journals Public health risk factors at music festivals: “Be Safe Lab” initiative

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Beržanskytė
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Medical Knowledge ◽  
Integrated Services ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Music Festivals ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations

Abstract Background At large public events such as music festivals there is an increased exposure to the risk factors as alcohol, tobacco and narcotics, unprotected sex, trauma and violence. Non-governmental organizations engage in prevention and support activities at such events. An initiative “Be Safe Lab” has developed in Lithuania to reduce the likelihood of adverse events due to harmful behavior at public festivals. Study Aim To investigate the experience of operating the “Be Safe Lab” initiative at Lithuanian music festivals. Methods In this qualitative study the data were collected from five “Be Safe Lab” volunteer staff using semi-structured interviews lasting in average of 50 minutes. The main guidelines were prepared and informants were asked to tell in general about the initiative, motives and reasons to develop the initiative, its goals and tasks, the questions that visitors apply to them, challenges and obstacles, personal experience in the initiative. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis according to Braun and Clarke (2013). Results The analysis revealed 6 main themes: principles of the initiative, variety of services, substance use harm reduction, changes of volunteers' perspectives, the role of teamwork, and initiative challenges. Conclusions The initiative has a number of strengths and challenges. Integrated services are provided not just to drug users, but also to other festival visitors who seek help or advice. The volunteer staff must have special skills, competencies and medical knowledge. The harm reduction measures for drugs and psychoactive substances used in the initiative are believed to be effective and attract music festival visitors. Initiative volunteers benefit both personally and professionally from providing services. However, further success of the initiative requires additional financial support, training, and collaboration with institutions providing emergency medical services at music festivals. Key messages Integrated services are provided to any festival visitor who seek help from “Be Safe Lab” specialists. The initiative volunteers benefit both personally and professionally from providing services.

The Ethics of Sex Robots

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aksel Braanen Sterri ◽  
Brian D. Earp
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Sex Work ◽  
Sex Robots ◽  
Production Distribution ◽  
Reduction Approach

What, if anything, is wrong with having sex with a robot? For the sake of this chapter, we will assume that sexbots are ‘mere’ machines that are reliably identifiable as such, despite their human-like appearance and behaviour. Under these stipulations, sexbots themselves can no more be harmed, morally speaking, than your dishwasher. However, there may still be something wrong about the production, distribution, and use of such sexbots. In this chapter, we examine whether sex with robots is intrinsically or instrumentally wrong and critically assess different regulatory responses. They defend a harm reduction approach to sexbot regulation, analogous to the approach that has been considered in other areas, concerning, for example, drugs and sex work.

scholarly journals Some questions about the harm reduction approach

Addiction ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 89 (7) ◽  
pp. 811-812
Author(s):  
G. Buhringer
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Reduction Approach

The Drug-Testing Controversy

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Jolyon West ◽  
Deborah L. Ackerman
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Screening ◽  
Drug Testing ◽  
Legal Issues ◽  
Right To Privacy ◽  
Testing Procedures ◽  
The Right To Privacy ◽  
Legal Challenges ◽  
The Right

Professional and societal debate regarding drug taking and drug-use problems occurs in cycles. In recent years a number of contentious issues have developed about the testing of urine, blood, saliva, and breath for evidence of drug use. Substances evaluated include alcohol, steroids, stimulants, sedatives, opiates, hallucinogens, and a variety of other chemicals both legal and illegal. Legal issues have been raised concerning the validity of testing procedures used and the reliability of evidence obtained, especially with preemployment drug screening. Other controversies center on the right to privacy versus the needs of society, and a variety of related topics. These issues and suggestions for maximizing the effectiveness of drug testing programs while minimizing legal challenges are discussed.

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