"Berlin residents, don't forget to examine your dance medication"

In the heart of Germany, Berlin's dark, electronic sounds have been significantly influenced by Californian producer John Juan Mendez, better known as Silent Servant, and Jose Luis Vasquez, famously known as The Soft Moon. Both Mendez and Vasquez, who were influential figures in Berlin's club scene, tragically passed away at the ages of 46 and 44, respectively.

Mendez's work, either as part of the band Sandwell District or through his own productions, was influential for almost every techno artist in Berlin over the past 15 years. Vasquez, a one-man band, became a cult figure in Berlin's music scene after relocating to the city following the release of his second album Zeroes.

However, the tragic losses of Mendez and Vasquez serve as a stark reminder of the dangers that persist in the club scene. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, is frequently found in recreational drugs used by partygoers in Berlin. This potent substance was recently discovered in an attendee's Methylmethcathinone (3-MMC).

To ensure safety and prevent such tragedies, it is crucial to use proper facilities or testing gear. In Berlin, this can be found through organisations such as drugchecking.berlin, which offers free drug testing from their labs in Neukölln and Kreuzberg. Regularly checking for news about drug checking can be done at drugchecking.berlin.

It is also essential to have an honest conversation about recreational drug usage to find solace and move forward. Safer-nightlife.berlin provides information on drug use in Berlin, aiming to promote safer practices and reduce harm.

While testing kits can be bought online, it's important to do thorough research to ensure their reliability. The organisation that operates free drug testing in Berlin is likely a regional addiction and drug counseling centre connected with the studierendenWERK BERLIN, which provides various help and testing services related to addiction, including for illegal drugs. The results of these drug tests can be made accessible to the individuals tested, typically through the counseling centre or related health services where the test is conducted.

An open and honest conversation about drug usage, coupled with the use of proper testing facilities, is the only way to ensure that the deaths of Silent Servant, The Soft Moon, and others will not have been in vain. It's a call for the club scene to prioritise safety and education, ensuring that the music and culture continue to thrive in a safer environment.