DanceSafe have provided new guidance on how to test your drugs

Non-profit organisation DanceSafe has just released updated guidance on how to safely check drugs.

The instructions are shipped out with every drug testing kit that it sells and can be accessed online as PDFs.

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The guide includes instructions on how to use reagents, which colours to look out for while doing a reagent test, how to test individual substances, and details about why it is important to test before you ingest.

The newly-advised guidance sheet clearly outlines that the unregulated nature of the recreational drug market makes using these substances a high-risk activity; "With no government regulation of illicit drug markets, it’s up to you — the individual consumer — to find out what’s inside of the products you purchase."

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DanceSafe is acclaimed for offering adulterant screening to the rave and nightlife communities, based on harm reduction and peer-to-peer education principles. The group maintains a nonjudgmental stance to assist people who use drugs in making educated decisions about their health and safety, without condoning or condemning drug use.

As EDM.com reports, overdose fatalities increased by about 28.5% last year, an increase from already rising numbers.

In addition to selling testing kits and providing information, the organization also gives free water and electrolytes to prevent dehydration and heatstroke when high at events, supply earplugs to help ear health and give free safe sex tools to prevent unplanned pregnancies and the transmission of STIs.

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Read DanceSafe's full PDF of advice here. Check out their website to find out more about what they do.

Aneesa Ahmed is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter