Volunteer organization helping with harm reduction at Manitoba festivals

Harm reduction supplies are set up on a table in an undated photo. Uploaded July 6, 2026. (CTV News Winnipeg)

Desa Desautels, also known as DJ Double D, mixes it up at some of Manitoba’s biggest festivals. While dancing is a part of the festival scene, she said so is drug use.

“We do substance testing for people that want to make sure that what they’re ingesting is what they think it is and not laced with anything,” Desautels said, owner of the Bestie Lounge.

Desautels launched the outdoor lounge space in 2024. It’s a volunteer-run harm reduction space within festival sites where naloxone, and other supplies are handed out.

She said the demand is growing.

“You can’t stop people from taking substances. They are going to do it, no matter what,” she said.

“The only thing you can do is to provide them with the resources to take it safely.”

It’s why she advocates for safe spaces like hers. She was there last week when a couple at the Summer of Sound Festival became anxious after taking MDMA for the first time.

“They thought that something was wrong and we were like, ‘This is totally normal. We’re just going to keep an eye on your heart rate, keep an eye on you and make sure everything is OK,’” she said.

She wanted to take the lounge to the Winnipeg Folk Festival this year, but they said no to her as a volunteer after missing a day of volunteering last year.

CTV News reached out to the Winnipeg Folk Festival. They declined an interview, but a spokesperson sent a statement saying in part:

“While we cannot control or eliminate substance use, we are committed to supporting harm reduction.”

They say Project Safe Audience, a harm reduction organization, is in the campground, where supplies are handed out. Furthermore, the spokesperson said volunteer and security teams carry naloxone but last year did not administer any.

Desautels’ booth has been welcomed by others, however, such as the Bring Your Love Festival held in August north of Winnipeg.

Staff said while they don’t condone using drugs, they prioritize safety.

“It is better to offer someone a safe space on how to use drugs and get drugs tested as well as people that understand how people can react to drugs and help them come out of a bad situation,” said Torrence Ledwich, co-founder of the Bring Your Love Festival.