DanceSafe
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DanceSafe is a nonprofit, harm reduction organization, with 28 local chapters in the US and Canada, established for the purpose of reducing the inherent risks associated with recreational drug use. The organization's philosophy is that, despite all efforts to the contrary, illegal drug use is a fact of life and will always be that way. Rather than follow a strictly prohibitionist path, DanceSafe volunteers provide accurate and factual information without fear, uncertainty and doubt and propaganda to those who are going to use recreational drugs anyway. The organization also espouses a popular education model for its harm reduction efforts.
DanceSafe youth volunteers set up tables at raves and other live events to distribute educational literature containing information describing the effects and risks associated with the use of various drugs and sell testing kits that users may employ to determine whether the drugs they've purchased on the street are what the seller claims they are.
DanceSafe no longer offers laboratory analysis of pills. This service is now being offered by EcstasyData.org which performs anonymous pill testing and is co-sponsored by Erowid, MAPS, and DanceSafe. As of August 2005, ecstasydata.org was defunded and people now wanting to get their pills tested have to pay the full $115. The website is currently soliciting donations to restart its pill-testing program.
DanceSafe was founded in 1999 by Emanuel Sferios. He retired in 2001. Marc Brandl was the Executive Director for over a year, but has now been replaced by Le Sheng Liu of the Bay Area chapter.
In addition to the work at raves and other events, DanceSafe runs an online harm-reduction 'booth'. The Booth's current administrator is Bryan Oley.
