Layla BenBrahim, ‘20, ‘23 and Madalyn Larson, ‘21, ‘24, alumnae from the School of Public Health, made a significant impact on the Burning Man community by distributing menstrual and harm reduction kits to attendees in the Black Rock Desert. Their initiative aimed to provide essential resources for those lacking access to menstruation products and overdose prevention tools.
With the support of fellow campmates at the Dusty Dillas campsite, BenBrahim, who works for the School of Public Health as an Accreditation and Evaluation Coordinator and Larson, a Public Health Researcher, placed kits in bins around their camp and shared information on how to use the harm reduction supplies effectively. Larson trained her campmates to recognize and respond to overdoses, including hands-on demonstrations to enhance understanding of the necessary protocols.
The menstrual kits, assembled by BenBrahim using supplies she purchased herself, contained pads, tampons, non-toxic bamboo wipes, sandwich bags and even lollipops to help attendees navigate their cycles during the festival. While the distribution of these kits was straightforward and did not require formal training, the focus was on creating a supportive environment for users. In parallel, Larson compiled harm reduction kits with the help of the and the . Each kit included two doses of naloxone to restore breathing during an overdose, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, a CPR mask and an instructional pamphlet. Larson successfully assembled 60 kits, which quickly became popular after being placed prominently atop the camp bar, fostering discussions about overdose response and harm reduction.
BenBrahim and Larson were inspired to contribute to the festival's community based on their own experiences in public health. BenBrahim, influenced by her previous visit to the camp Redhanded, which provides support for event-goers by providing a variety of workshops and fundraisers to assist with purchasing menstrual products, aimed to replicate their model on a smaller scale. Recognizing that menstruation is a natural process, she wanted to alleviate the anxiety surrounding it, especially given the lack of facilities at Burning Man. “Menstruating on playa should not deter people from having their own experience at Burning Man; we should embrace it,” she stated.
Larson similarly identified harm reduction as a vital aspect of public health that could benefit attendees. She emphasized that the dangers of drug use extend beyond Burning Man and into everyday life, noting that the goal of harm reduction is not to dissuade drug use but to ensure the safety of individuals experimenting with substances.
The response from festival-goers was overwhelmingly positive. By the end of the event, all kits had been distributed and many attendees expressed gratitude for the support, including members of the who took kits to share within their camp.
Initially apprehensive about effectively communicating harm reduction concepts, Larson found herself able to engage others effortlessly. She felt empowered to educate attendees on how to respond to overdoses, emphasizing the importance of the Good Samaritan Law and compassionate overdose response. “I was able to connect with others and utilize language that made the concepts accessible,” she said.
Dean of the School of Public Health, Muge Akpinar-Elci, expressed pride in BenBrahim and Larson’s efforts, stating, “They exemplify our mission to bring public health to the community in innovative ways. Their work at Burning Man is a testament to the impact our students can have, even in the most unconventional settings.”
Looking back, BenBrahim and Larson hope their initiative will encourage others to prioritize public health in large-scale events. They plan to expand their efforts in future festivals and beyond, continuing to foster open conversations about menstruation and substance use.
For those interested in supporting or learning more about their work, the Dusty Dillas camp invites individuals to or send them an email.
