Let me first off say : I love the scene, it is my scene, I am at home out there in the bush with the sun on my back and the beat in my feet.
As some of you will know, I wrote a very angry blog about a week ago which I have now chosen to take down. In it’s place, this blog plans to focus more on addressing the existing distressing issues of unresponsible partying that can ultimately result in psychosis, rehabilitation and ending up somewhere like Valkenberg.
Basically now I have chosen to approach from an angle of ‘adaptation rather than mitigation’. We all know people who go to outdoor parties do IT, and we cannot make them do otherwise (people on the look-out for drugs have always -and probably always will -be catered for). We have recognised a Problem: now what is the Solution?
Banksy’s ‘elephant in the room’ -painted for an exhibition to represent World Poverty – made headlines in 2006
How do we who witness the destruction caused by this shady approach to fun best deal with the situation? We who are concerned when we see kids younger than us looking really fucked up, probably on way too much? We who care and are ready to set aside the time and energy to DO SOMETHING if we thought it might help improve the situation?
It turns out this issue is waaayyy more complex than I at first assumed, plus it is an international problem (youth losing themselves to drugs) and so it follows that no quick fix or blame-game could possibly solve such a large-scale epidemic of lost souls.
I think the best thing to do is:
Firstly, aknowledge that this shit goes down and horror stories will consider to circulate about good educated middle-class kids losing their minds and
Secondly, try to create a ‘safety net’ so to speak, supplying information and support when it’s needed by those partiers who push things too far.
One of the main problems in addressing this local issue is that people don’t want to admit that there are people taking illegal substances at these events – they are either ignorant of it or simply too scared to name the elephant in the room. But the longer we are in denial, the longer we allow the potential destruction of the younger generations state of mind.
I don’t judge those who experiment , as I too have had my fair share of this kind of fun and self-exploration, but I believe people need better guidance so we can be confident they are making informed decisions. I believe there is value in sharing our own experiencial wisdom, even if it means we have to admit we once dabbled in illegal substances.
Things like drinking and smoking of tobbacco could also be better addressed within these isolated arenas, as the damages of these legal substances must not be underated:
Occurances like alchohol-induced black-outs/brown-outs can be very scary (I know, I have experienced this first-hand) and binge-drinking can result in serious mental illnesses like Korsakoff Syndrome. Also, drunk-driving is a huge local issue and I feel it’s important we remind people that they need to have designated drivers to get them to and from the party.
The side-effects of smoking tobacco is a long long list, yet kids continue to think it’s cool even as the international perspective is shifting to thinking otherwise. Meanwhile, as SA struggles to keep up with this lastest world view on tobacco use, cigarette companies continue to promote and push these ‘deathsticks’ onto kids, which I believe is in itself unethical. (Not to mention that stompies have a huge negative environmental impact and it is literally impossible to pick up every single one after a party- join my facebook group ‘Stompers Againt Stompies’ https://www.facebook.com/groups)/202381693109612/)
A typical stompie graveyard – hazardous to mama nature
So what now?
I am working on creating ‘safe party’ pamphlets. Anyone who would like to get involved or just offer suggestion please email me on rachelbriant@gmail.com.
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Relevant links:
The health risks of tobacco use:
http://www.drugs.com/cg/cigarette-smoking-and-its-health-risks.html
Advice on how to help minimize harm reated to psychedelic use:
http://www.maps.org/resources/responding_to_difficult_psychedelic_experiences/
A UK blog guide on mentally surviving large gatherings/festivals/big parties:
http://www.mind.org.uk/blog/3612_festivals-a_survival_guide
‘Alice – the drug and culture project’ – events organisers in Germany who focus on ’Music, Mind and Politics’ in the sense of creative forms of expression, critical activism for social change, as well as fun and personal development.
Tips on safe drinking:
http://safeparty.ucdavis.edu/partier/tips.html
Conscious Babe 
Jaco Slabbert
August 22, 2011
Honestly, I think we should be careful not to turn ourselves into nannies… I mean, that’s why people kind of lose their shit at these parties. It’s one of the only times they are able to do so by breaking away from their Nanny mothers and fathers (and I’m not justifying it, just highlighting the point). The problem isn’t that people are unaware of the dangers, but that these dangers are many times exaggerated to scare people. The urban myth is always more powerful than the actual truth. It’s not all that bad out there considering the copious amounts of drugs being consumed. People aren’t dying left right and center, although there are some dangers that must be considered.
The only thing that we can do, and this is relevant to everything, is to educate our children holistically. The only way change comes is from within. No external factors can make you change, they just influence the way you perceive the problem.
misspoppyseed
August 22, 2011
Thank you Jaco. And you are right, change must come from within. Perhaps I must stop being so concerned for others. Maybe it is a control-freak streak of mine coming out here. LOL.
misspoppyseed
August 22, 2011
It kinda just feels like the right thing to do though?
julan
August 22, 2011
The reason I offered to help support Heart Space, Peace Camp and then start Buddha Lounge was because I felt there was a need for more conscious spaces at parties and that people were ready for them. The way we have had such a good response to these areas has more than confirmed that this is what many people want. A place at a party where they can come and sit, take a breather, sip a chai, get some body paint, enjoy a massage.
A place where people are not drugging, smoking and drinking alcohol. (phew)
The Green Police came next inpsired by Rachel’s experience with the Glastonbury Festival Green Police which was created by a very old friend of mine Des Kay
People at Masqued Ball and Flamjangled tea party seemed to enjoy the frolicks and humour of the Green Police force SA. As well as having fun and making people laugh the Green Police bring a good sound environmental message and attracted some great new recruits from the children at these gatherings.
I would like to bring Green Kids next a safe and kid friendly space. A place where children can play, be creative and eco-friendly in a fun way, helped and supported by adults, parents and young people at the parties.