Inside Shambhala’s on-site drug testing service
The role of ANKORS in providing drug education and harm reduction at Shambhala Music Festival for over 20 years.
Shambhala Music Festival has taken a different approach to drug use for more than 20 years. On-site, ANKORS provides free and confidential drug testing and harm reduction services. Festivalgoers can test substances, ask questions and learn about safer drug use. The service gives people access to information without judgment.
ANKORS, or the AIDS Network Kootenay Outreach and Support Society, has worked with Shambhala since 2003. Its presence has become a regular part of the festival experience. Attendees can bring substances to the testing service and speak with trained staff about what they plan to take.
Drug testing is especially important because the contents of a substance can be difficult to know. A drug sold as one substance may contain something else. Testing can help identify unexpected substances and give attendees a chance to reconsider what they plan to take. Staff can also discuss dosing, mixing substances and other harm reduction practices.
This approach is different from what many people see at American music festivals. Drug use is often treated as a security issue. Shambhala has built harm reduction into its festival safety services instead. The goal is to give them more information before they make that choice.
ANKORS also provides other harm reduction resources during the festival. These include fentanyl test strips, naloxone and drug education. The services are part of a wider effort to respond to the changing drug supply. For a large festival, that can mean addressing risks before they become emergencies.
After more than 20 years, drug testing has become part of Shambhala‘s approach to festival safety. It also raises a larger question for the electronic music community. If drug use is already part of nightlife and festival culture, should safety efforts focus on stopping it or reducing the risks that come with it? Shambhala’s model offers a clear answer. Meet people where they are, give them accurate information and create space for safer decisions.
Feature Image Instagram/ @shambhala_mf
About The Author
Alejandra Benitez
My name is Alejandra Benitez and I was born and raised in the DMV. Having close proximity to Washington D.C. means I am accustomed to a fast paced environment as things are constantly changing. For me, the EDM scene has provided so much comfort and space to really find myself even amongst chaos. My first ever show was Zeds Dead and it truly changed my outlook on community and further affirmed my love for music. I am a basshead at heart but enjoy exploring new genres and artists. Being a writer for Exron has given me an amazing opportunity to learn more about the electronic music industry and I love being able to express myself creatively. Some of my favorite artists include Levity, Rezz, Tape B, Disco Lines, and Sub Focus.
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