WHO WE ARE?

OUR MISSION

The ConsciousNest Project is focused on advocating, educating and discussing all issues related to young people and people who use drugs, using a judgement free and inclusive harm reduction approach.

We hope to install healthy and positive alternatives whilst educating young people to make informed and conscious decisions when partying in a friendly and non judgmental manner.

We believe in delivering unbiased, factual and scientific information in a compassionate way.

Encouraging people to have the knowledge and empowerment to make their own conscious decisions about their drug consumption, relationships and health.

Our friendly crew of staff and volunteers are a combination of peer and harm reduction workers as well as
qualified healthcare professionals.

STAFF

The staffing crew are highly trained and qualified professionals, bringing together skills and knowledge in a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach.

Many of us are Social Workers, Counselors, Nurses, Doctors, Scientists, Teachers, Art Therapists and more!

COLLABORATION

We love to work in collaboration with other harm reduction organisations and have worked in the past with ‘The Loop‘ who are a drug checking ‘pill testing’ service. Since drug checking is still awaiting approval in Queensland, they offer demonstrations during the day in our education space using different technology such as FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) machines on legal substances to enable people to see how this procedure works, alongside brief interventions.

We strongly advocate implementing drug checking services for events and fixed sites as another harm reduction approach to minimise harm.

CCONP

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers have appropriate training and/or lived-experience to educate and care for people who need information or support in event and festival settings.

Our volunteers typically work 2x 6hr shifts at multi-day festivals and receive a free ticket in exchange. They often work in the areas of education, roving or care.

VALUES

Harm reduction approaches are aimed at reducing associated dangers without enforcing an abstinence approach, the focus being on responsible use of drugs and alcohol and reducing harm associated with those behaviours. Sexual health and consent are also of a large focus in our education resources.

We help fill a large gap policies and laws have created with a zero-tolerance policy, by offering care, support and education. Because regardless of the laws, people still use drugs.

Harm reduction also includes psychological and environmental efforts. In these cases, the steps we take to ensure safety include creating emotionally safe, kind, judgement free and inclusive spaces for all.

We provide:

+ A range of hand picked internationally produced resources of the best unbiased and factual education materials on substances, mental health and sexual health.

+ Free water, electrolytes, tea, ear plugs and condoms.

+ A positive and safe environment with a trained and caring team.

“Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. Harm Reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in, and respect for, the rights of people who use drugs.”

– The Harm Reduction Coalition