Party Safe 101
Drug & alcohol harm reduction for LGBTQ+ people, by ACON’s Between the Lines project
Friday, 20 February, 2026
Mardi Gras is one of the most celebrated times of year for LGBTQ+ communities across New South Wales. A season of visibility, connection, and yes, a whole lot of partying. But as the festivities ramp up, so too do the risks that can come with big nights out, particularly for people who are using drugs and alcohol in social settings.
In recent years, the cost of living has hit party culture hard. With ticket prices for major events climbing and household budgets stretched thin, more and more people are choosing to celebrate at home or at smaller, informal gatherings rather than at ticketed festivals and club nights. House parties, underground raves, and low-key get-togethers are a beloved part of queer social life, but they come with a different risk landscape than large-scale events, where dedicated harm reduction services like Dancewize and ACON Rovers are on the ground and easy to find. When there's no purple or pink vests in sight, the people around you become your safety net.
That's why community care matters so much. Looking out for your mates, knowing what to do if someone's having a rough time, understanding the substances you or your friends are using, and being prepared for an emergency, isn't just good practice, it can save lives.
ACON's harm reduction project Between the Lines have shared with Users News some resources and information about a free upcoming event specifically designed to build those skills in everyday party-goers across Western Sydney and beyond this Mardi Gras season.
Are you living in Western Sydney and love a party?
Maybe you’re headed to Midnight Mafia in May and hosting pre’s before the big night out?
Whether you go to HSU raves or low-key house parties, our friends at ACON have got a workshop and social night for you during Mardi Gras in Western Sydney.
It’s called PARTY SAFE 101 + SOCIAL, and it’s on next week, Wednesday 25th of February at Western Sydney University.
This workshop is designed to reach folks attending smaller venues, underground raves or house parties. Whilst Dancewize & ACON Rovers services are hugely successful at major festivals, partiers outside of these large-scale events are the ones providing informal care for one another. Therefore, it’s important to get best practice harm reduction education out into these wider community spaces too.
The Party Safe 101 session is going to cover the following:
The basics of common party drugs, including harm reduction tips for each
How to look after friends having a rough time, whether its trip-sitting, or dealing with a bad batch
Knowing the signs of opioid overdose and how to administer Naloxone in an emergency
Looking at the kind of events you might be hosting or attending, and how to set events up for success
The night is also designed to better connect people across Western Sydney who may be LGBTQ+ during Mardi Gras, as well as the wider community and new university students over summer festival season, offering a social hour with free food and refreshments at the end of the workshop.
Registration for Party Safe 101 is online via the form here: Harm Reduction 101 Workshop #2 (West) - registration.
ACON’s harm reduction team Between The Lines have also created a Mini Guide for Hosts & Angels full of handy tips across areas of consent, space setup, amenities and water, first aid and more. It’s available digitally at betweenthelines.org.au or via their Instagram @betweenthelines.acon. Here, you can also see where the ROVERS team will be during Mardi Gras season if you need support. Remember, if the vibes are off, look for the pink vests.
