During EDC Las Vegas 2025, EDM Maniac connected with Anthony “A.J.” Banuelos, the End Overdose team’s director of community engagement and training, to talk about the work they’re doing to promote harm reduction in the electronic music community. From free naloxone distribution and overdose response training to their partnerships with major festival brands like Insomniac, End Overdose has established itself as a life-saving trailblazer in the scene.
In this interview, we discuss why their presence at festivals is so important, how artists and promoters can help, and the simple steps every raver can take to look out for each other. Plus, Banuelos shares personal stories that underscore why this mission matters more than ever.
EDM Maniac: For those unfamiliar, what is End Overdose, and what is your core mission?
Anthony: End Overdose is a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles, California, working to fight against drug-related overdose death through education, medical intervention, and public awareness. So on the education aspect, we like to educate individuals on the signs and symptoms, what to look for, and also the steps to take; What to do, medical intervention; we cover the Good Samaritan law that protects you in the state.
We want you to be comfortable and confident with getting medical assistance on the way, and we also distribute naloxone, aka Narcan, the medication that they use to reverse an opioid overdose, for free. And public awareness. We’re just destigmatizing the conversation.
EDM Maniac: Why is your presence at music festivals like EDC so important? What kind of impact have you seen so far, and what other festivals do you attend to raise awareness and educate?
Anthony: There’s no better place to connect than a music festival, right? Those most affected from drug-related overdose deaths are 18 to 45, so we actually hit our age demographic here at music festivals. Also, it’s a fun, engaging way to incorporate public health. It’s not a boring, lifeless setting. We hope to be at all festivals all across the board.
Special shout out to Insomniac—we partner with Insomniac, we’re at all Insomniac events, raising awareness, and we really focus on the educational aspect. Just educating individuals, so if they ever find themselves in a situation, they’re a little more comfortable and confident that they could do their part to save a life.
EDM Maniac: What’s one story or moment that really affirmed the importance of your work?
Anthony: I talk about this all the time—it’s just the gratitude that headliners or any festivalgoers express when they take this training. We hear it multiple times, “Hey, you’re the first booth that we come and see;” “We actually love what you do.”
When you feel that gratitude, that makes it worth it right there, when they’re just like, “Oh my God, we love you so much, thank you so much.” And it’s just like non-stop online, people going like, “We love End Overdose.” We love you too.
EDM Maniac: What role do you think artists and promoters can play in supporting harm reduction and overdose prevention?
Anthony: They have the platform to raise awareness. They have a big fan base. Whatever they say, individuals or fans will listen. So I think using that platform for the better and just speaking up, raising awareness on certain situations.
Their reach is far-reaching. Their fan base is all over. Tons of people listen to their music. They tune in, and if they hear a message that their favorite artist has to say, you know that that’s important because people are gonna listen to that message.
EDM Maniac: What are some ways ravers can look out for each other even if they’re not directly involved in an organization like End Overdose?
Anthony: If it’s another individual, another headliner, another raver out there, if you see something, check up on another individual. It’s all about the P.L.U.R. community. That’s what this community revolves around—looking out for one another.
There are times when I’m walking, somebody might be sleeping on the floor: “Hey, excuse me, are you OK? You alright?” They’re like, “Yeah, I’m good, I’m just taking a nap right now.” And I’m like, “OK, cool, I’m just checking on you.”
So I think that’s really important. Don’t be afraid to call for help. Don’t be afraid to be like, “Hey, this person needs assistance,” whatever the case may be. I think just checking up on one another, making sure everybody’s okay, and just spreading love and kindness, you know?
EDM Maniac: How do you approach conversations with people who may not see harm reduction as a priority?
Anthony: Yeah, we’ve actually had a couple of those conversations. I’ve been training outside of here, and I just tell them my experience, my story. I’m currently four years clean and sober from any minor mood-altering substance. I’ve overdosed in the past, and the only reason why I’m here today is because somebody did their part to save my life.
Just having those open conversations with people. It could be a friend; it could be a family member; it could be a complete stranger. You just never know. Anytime we have those conversations, it definitely opens up their minds. It could be anybody, anytime, anywhere, and usually after that, they’re usually like, “You know, we’ll take the training.”
EDM Maniac: Thank you so much for everything that you do and for being so influential in this space.
Anthony: Thank you. Of course, you’re so welcome. I just want to thank you and everybody for having us here today.
For more information about End Overdose, visit endoverdose.net or reach out via email: [email protected].
Featured image courtesy: End Overdose. Credit: Canvas Rebel Magazine.
The post Interview: End Overdose Talks Harm Reduction EDC Las Vegas 2025 appeared first on EDM Maniac.
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