Harm reduction, it's called in the jargon. This is what they do at the organisation Safe and Sound. Its aim is to inform young people objectively about the risks associated with nightlife: alcohol and drug use, hearing damage and safe sex. Field worker Tiny Devriendt was recently at Extrema Outdoor, an electronic music festival in Houthalen-Helchteren, where, as at every festival, drugs are used.
"We neither discourage use nor encourage it. We give objective information, also about the dangers." So why do people do it? "A line has an effect for half an hour and works on your dopamine, the substance in your brain that makes you feel good. Cocaine is a subtle drug where you keep functioning. That attracts. Under the influence, you think you can handle everything better: useful in this neoliberal meritocracy, where success is key. "I believe most users use in a controlled way. But the reason you start, out of curiosity or because it's fun, is not the same as why you keep using. Nobody starts with the idea of becoming addicted."
Link to full (Dutch) article
Source: A. Cordia (2017) Waarom cocaïne de drug is die deze maatschappij verdient | De Morgen
