Rave Safe Inc
Providing Harm Reduction Supplies and Resources to the EDM Community
Rave Safe, Inc is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to provide Narcan, Fentanyl test strips, educational information and resources where you need them the most. Our tables provide an array of items meant to keep you and your family safe. And to lower the risks and stigma associated with our EDM community.
Who We Are
Our founder, Andi Thomason, saw the need for easier access to harm reduction supplies after attending her first festival in September, 2023.
By starting with providing Narcan at events, the need quickly grew and word spread within the local Kansas City EDM scene that free Narcan was being handed out at local events. With the help of local organizations, Rave Safe, Inc was able to start providing Fentanyl test strips as well.
Currently Rave Safe, Inc is able to provide Narcan, Fentanyl test strips, and various other supplies to multiple venues in Kansas City and St Louis.
We are excited to announce our expansion to St Louis! Follow our social media to keep up with our progress!
Our goal is to get Narcan and Fentanyl test strips in the hands of as many people as possible and to prevent the unnecessary overdoses that have plagued our community.
As a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, we rely on people like you to help us with our continued efforts to make harm reduction accessible for all!
Upcoming Events
Get Involved
Learn How You Can Help
It is absolutely true that giving back and being a part of Rave Safe Inc’s work will not only improve the lives of so many but bring you a sense of unparalleled satisfaction. Making the EDM community a better and safer place starts with small steps that evolve into profound transformation. But we can't do it without you! Each donation goes towards our overhead costs and helps us continue to provide the "extras" you see at our tables! Consider helping out our cause today!
Volunteers of the Month
Every month we feature a volunteer who has gone above and beyond within the organization from each city!
Kansas City
MEET KANSAS CITY’S VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: Rachael Storey!
Rachael has been with the Rave Safe team for about 2.5 years now. We appreciate her loyalty to our team so much!
Here’s what she had to say to our short little questionnaire
How long have you been in the scene?
-I’ve been in the scene for about 6.5 years. My first show was Ganja White Night on Halloween 2019!
What made you want to be a volunteer?
-I remember when Rave Safe was first announced. I felt pulled to it. The scene is very important to me, and a chance to give back just felt meant to be.
What’s your favorite thing about volunteering with Rave Safe?
-Definitely the people. We have an amazing team, but honestly they’re my family. I love watching us grow and continue to save lives!
Saint Louis
MEET ST LOUIS’ VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: Brittany Hazel!
We appreciate Brittany and her eagerness to help our team. Her infectious smile & bright bubbly self bring a light to our tables when she educates our scene. Here’s what she has to say in some questions we asked her!
How long have you been in the scene?
I was introduced to EDM by a friend during my freshman year of college (around 2013). My first shows in STL were local shows at the Skatium and Utopia Studios during breaks from school in 2015. After I graduated from college and moved back to STL in 2017 I started attending shows more regularly and becoming more involved in the scene.
What made you want to become a volunteer?
I met the STL volunteer coordinator, Amy, through a mutual friend and she was so passionate and enthusiastic about Rave Safe when I spoke with her! That interaction piqued my interest so I decided to put in an application. I was already someone that liked making sure everyone in the crowd around me was safe and having fun, and I’m in the social work/mental health field for my career, so Rave Safe was a perfect combination of my interests and my desire to help people.
What’s your favorite thing about volunteering with Rave Safe?
I’m a certified yapper and Rave Safe gives me an opportunity to start meaningful conversations with so many new faces. I love when someone stops by the table for the first time for harm reduction supplies/education and leaves as a new friend. It’s so cool to be a part of such a positive and caring group of people and to have a meaningful impact on the local scene while having an absolute blast doing it!
What’s your favorite show you have been to with Rave Safe?
I really like working the First Ones Free events at Mississippi Underground! There are a lot of first-timers at these events and it’s a great opportunity to introduce harm reduction early on in someone’s EDM
Andi Thomason - Director and Founder of Rave Safe Inc.
I’m Andi Thomason, the director and founder of Rave Safe Inc., a nonprofit organization I started in 2023 after my life-changing experience at my first EDM festival. During that event, I was faced with a critical moment that led me to administer Narcan to someone in need, and that sparked a passion for making EDM events safer. I wanted to do something proactive, so I started by reaching out on local Facebook groups, letting people know I would be attending events and carrying Narcan and fentanyl test strips. The response was overwhelming, and that's how Rave Safe Inc. was born. What began as a simple post turned into a movement. In just two years, Rave Safe Inc. has expanded into two cities and grown to include more than 50 dedicated volunteers who share the mission of harm reduction in the EDM community. It's been incredible to see the impact we've made together, and we’re just getting started! Outside of my work with Rave Safe, I’m a proud Kansas City native. I've spent most of my life here, and it’s where I call home. When I’m not advocating for harm reduction or attending events, you’ll likely find me spending time with my beloved cats, Peter and Stinky. I also attend many shows throughout the midwest with my loving husband Spencer. They bring so much joy to my life and keep me grounded. I also have a background in addiction, with over 7 years off of meth. My personal journey has given me a deep understanding of the importance of mental and physical well-being, which is why I’m so passionate about the work we do at Rave Safe. Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we’re making our community safer, one event at a time.
Our City Leaders
Joshua Thornhill - St. Louis Rave Safe President
Josh grew up in the greater Saint Louis area, and has been part of the dance music community for most of his adult life. As a kid, Josh was initially exposed to dance music through friends from England, who would often share Drum and Bass or Hardstyle tracks with him. At 19, he attended his first rave and began exploring altered states of consciousness. This led to a series of heart-opening experiences which unfolded on the dancefloor, solidifying his sense of belonging and purpose within the community. In his early 20’s, Josh received outstanding peer-support from the Interfuse harm-reduction team, and this ignited his interest in providing similar care for others. Realizing the lack of harm-reduction services available to the dance music community in Saint Louis, Josh and the other founding members of our Saint Louis chapter began collaborating with Andi to expand Rave Safe’s reach. They launched their first event on September 21, 2024, and have been busy bees ever since! Josh’s enthusiasm, open-mindedness, and desire to learn has made him the go-to person for his peers and friends when substance-related questions arise. Finding joy in this act of service and love, the hard working Saint Louis team is cultivating a feeling of togetherness and safety which ripples through their local community.
Kris Nelson - Kansas City Rave Safe President
My name is Kris Nelson, and I joined Rave Safe in October of 2024 after attending Dancefest for the first time. My first EDM show, Said the Sky at Red Rocks in September of 2021, was unforgettable and showed me just how powerful the EDM community can be. I really started to dive into the scene more as my kids got older and I had more time for myself. I love the music and the connection the scene creates, but my involvement with Rave Safe comes from a very real place. I have kids in the scene, and their safety, along with everyone on the dance floor, is incredibly important to me. I'm the one with the water, fan, Narcan, and test strips for everyone, the unofficial rave mom of any group I am with. Rave Safe gives me a way to turn that care into action. I am passionate about harm reduction because I believe people deserve access to honest information, support, and life-saving resources without shame or judgment. Stepping into a leadership role has meant a lot to me, and I am proud to support our volunteers and help make events safer and more welcoming for everyone. Outside of Rave Safe, I am very community-oriented and love staying involved in ways that make a real impact. When I'm not working events or helping behind the scenes, you can usually find me juggling school, teaching financial literacy to young students through Junior Achievement, delivering meals with Meals on Wheels, or going on adventures with my kids. And when I do get a chance to slow down, I'm just as happy curled up with a good book as I am catching a Tape B set.
Naloxone Training Video
Where can I order Narcan and Fentanyl test strips for free?
The state of Kansas and the state of Missouri both offer free Narcan and Fentanyl test strips delivered straight to you!
For Kansas residents: https://www.dccca.org/naloxone-kit-request-form/
For Missouri residents: https://nextdistro.org/mochoice
How can I identify an opioid overdose?
Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose can save a life. Here are some things to look for:
Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
Falling asleep or losing consciousness
Slow, weak, or no breathing
Choking or gurgling sounds
Limp body
Cold and/or clammy skin
Discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)
ALWAYS CALL 911 AFTER ADMINISTERING NARCAN!
Where should I go if I need treatment or more resources?
Our friends at First Call KC can help you navigate the next steps if you decide you want additional help.
You can call their 24/7 crisis line anytime at 816-361-5900
Or you can reach out via their website at www.firstcallkc.org