VIMHS

People First Radio

VIMHS

  • The LSD Rescue Service

The LSD Rescue Service

Monday 6th March 2023

Uncover the history of the LSD Rescue Service from 1960s Chicago and its impact on harm reduction efforts.
22 minutes
Informative
Thought-provoking
Raw
Engaging
Historical

About this podcast

People First Radio
Author:
VIMHS
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Community & Support Networks
Policy & Advocacy
Body & Mind
Links:
Visit site
Rounded Button Dark
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!

The LSD Rescue Service: A Forgotten Chapter in Harm Reduction

It was not about retreating into your inner sphere and just getting high constantly.
Picture the 1960s, a time of countercultural revolutions and wild experimentation with drugs like LSD. Amidst this psychedelic backdrop, George Peters launched the LSD Rescue Service in Chicago, aiming to guide people through bad trips and negative experiences. Historian Chris Elcock takes us on a journey through this intriguing and often overlooked piece of harm reduction history. Peters' team, sometimes using tranquilizers, worked in the shadows, balancing between legal and illegal realms.
While law enforcement saw them as a threat, many medical professionals applauded their efforts. But this story isn't all peace and love; it has a dark twist. Peters eventually got entangled in cocaine trafficking, leading to a tragic downfall. This episode offers a compelling look at the complexities of drug use and harm reduction, revealing that it's not just about the high, but also the environment and context.
Tune in to hear how the LSD Rescue Service tried to make a difference in a turbulent time.