If you or a friend plan on attending a music festival or rave this summer, this is what you should know about drug education: Bottom line, always test your drugs. This is the most important rule because these days, you never know who makes your drugs, how they made the drug, if it is mixed with anything, or if it is actually real.

Testing a drug before ingesting it will give a good indication whether it should be consumed or not. It is reported that nearly 100% of samples are cut with substances other than the drug itself.

There is an unfortunate amount of dishonesty in the drug market, and an overall lack of integrity. Potentially harmful research chemicals(RC) are often sold under the pretension of being a common used drug such as MDMA or acid. RC’s are psychoactive drugs that often have similar chemical structures to scheduled drugs. However, one simple structural change results in a very different chemical.

The frightening part about RC’s is that it is impossible to predict health effects because little is known about these chemicals. No extensive research or clinical trials have been done on these wide array of chemicals. One could easily take a lethal dose of a RC, without even knowing.

There are two well respected organizations that can help test drugs and provide accurate information about overall safety of drug use.

The Bunk Police is a consortia of volunteers from across the nation who attend music festivals with substance testing kits for sale. They offer drug specific tests in the form of powders, liquids, blotter samples and more.

Their test kits are highly accurate and are similar to the chemicals that police use to test drugs. Bunk police volunteers can be identified by this symbol (above) which is sometimes in the form of a sticker or a pin. When someone with this symbol is seen, one can simply ask them if they can help out by selling a drug testing kit. They can also be contacted by phone at (512) 200-BUNK. They will be able to guide festival goers to the correct kits needed.

Dance Safe is yet another organization to look for at music festivals or shows this summer. This non-profit promotes health and safety by using harm reduction methods paired with education in the nightlife community. They are known for giving out free water, earplugs, condoms, and educational literature on drugs. In addition, they have the ability to test drugs using reagent test kits. Dance Safe typically sets up a booth at the events they attend. Their symbol is a big yellow caution sign with a dancer in the middle, shown below. The list of events they will be attending can be found here.

Bunk police sell test kits on their website, as does Dance Safe. Both organizations will ship drug testing kits in discreet packaging.

If you decide to take drugs, that is a personal decision that others should respect, but know that there is the possibility of physical and legal consequences. Know the available options, stay educated, and be safe this summer.

Interested in volunteering? Volunteer for Dance Safe through this link.