Pink safety in numbers
The ALSO Foundation’s ‘Take Care Out There’ program is this year partnering with Melbourne queer festival Midsumma to develop a party safe policy during the 2011 season.
To ensure people enjoyinging the major GLBTIQ event can make considered choices, the program has instituted a harm minimisation strategy for people enjoying drugs and alcohol at public events.
Punters will have access to qualified drug safety educators with a series of rovers who will be stationed at major events to provide non-judgemental assistance.
The rovers will have their own tent at major events as part of the ALSO Village, with trained members of the community out and about checking that everyone is enjoying themselves without harm.
The rovers will provide water, sugar, drug and alcohol advice; as well as safe sex packs to those in need.
Rovers are also able to speedily contact medical staff if the need arises.
The partnership with Midsumma to develop a party safe policy for public GLBTIQ events marks the first step for ALSO in addressing issues around drugs and alcohol and sexual health.
Revellers can spot rovers in pairs with hot pink tops and tool belts.
