Karen Mamo has been a quiet but persistent force behind harm reduction in Malta’s electronic music scene. Working at the intersection of policy, culture and nightlife, she has helped challenge long-held myths around partying and pushed for safer practices on local dancefloors.
She’s worked with many event organisers across the island, from in.di.go // waX to Earth Garden Festival, representing Harm Reduction Malta – an advocacy initiative she founded 2019. And, as someone who lives the culture as well as studies about it, I chat with the woman behind the local movement.
Do you remember your first electronic music party – how old you were, what kind of music it was, and how it made you feel?
Yes, of course. I was 17, turning 18, and had a huge fight with my father about attending. He did not want me going to Liquid club. I was already frequenting Paceville, so I couldn’t accept being treated like a child and ordered around.
The event was Cubik, and the music was heavily influenced by electro, acid, and techno classics – Joey Beltram and others. I remember being mesmerised by the dancefloor and the atmosphere, which was very different from the clubs in Paceville. There was no fighting, everyone seemed connected, and the mix of lights, smoke machines, and people dancing with strangers left a huge positive imprint on me.
In fact, I’m still in clubs at the age of 38.
At what point did partying turn into something more intentional for you, eventually leading you into harm reduction and public policy?
I was always a nerd. Although partying and going to raves was a huge part of my younger years, I always prioritised studying. My academic background is quite mixed. I started with a degree in Italy – I am a Mediaset child after all – then moved into international relations and conflict resolution at Master’s level. More recently, I delved into drug policy and completed a Master of Science in Addiction.
Back in my early rave years, the scene was disapproved of by wider society, and we were often seen as “druggies” or misfits. This raver persona was in conflict with my socially ascribed “nerdy” role, so it was mostly a hidden part of my life. I rarely spoke about raving with work colleagues or adults outside the scene. This sense of shame around raving – especially in your late twenties – stayed with me until around 2015.
While travelling abroad, I had the chance to attend events that promoted safer dancing experiences and a harm reduction approach on the dancefloor, such as Sónar in Spain, where Energy Control operates.
As I continued along my academic path, I discovered new ways of understanding and representing drug use and raving in society. One of the most influential books for me was Drugs Without the Hot Air by Professor David Nutt. I also started reading more about harm reduction and drug policy, and joined international organisations such as the European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policies, the International Drug Policy Consortium, the Correlation European Harm Reduction Network, and the People and Dancefloors project led by Dr Giulia Zampini.
Between 2013 and 2020, Malta experienced its first legal changes related to personal drug use, shifting from a purely criminal approach towards depenalisation and decriminalisation. During this period, I kept hoping Malta would introduce a harm reduction approach that went beyond the narrow, medicalised model focused only on people seeking treatment for heroin or cocaine addiction.
Unfortunately, I am still waiting for that educational space to materialise. The Government’s “No Bullshit Just Facts” website, launched in 2020 and later removed, was the complete opposite of what was needed. It was full of misinformation and a simple “just say no” message, which is not useful for people on the dancefloor or from a public health perspective.
Basic harm reduction tools on the dancefloor would include free water, sanitary products, condoms, hydration sachets, drug checking, safer hearing measures, safe travel options, and, most importantly, factual information on how to prevent risks.
In 2019, I enrolled in the Master’s in Addiction and also launched the educational initiative Harm Reduction Malta. What started as a small social media page with limited resources has grown into a wider community. Over the past six years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with various event organisers, including in.di.go.
For someone reading this between events: in simple terms, what does harm reduction actually mean on a dancefloor?
It means one thing: dignity.
Back in 2005, some club owners closed off tap water so people couldn’t refill bottles. This wasn’t about hygiene – it was to make sure people on ecstasy spent as much money as those drinking alcohol. That increased risk for everyone and was also a breach of basic rights.
Harm reduction on the dancefloor is about creating a safe space that celebrates diversity and inclusivity, and recognises without judgement that people engage in all kinds of risky behaviours – drug use, sex, long hours of dancing, or poor nutrition during a long weekend.
It is a practical, educational approach that empowers smarter choices and encourages policymakers to treat the night-time economy with the safeguards it deserves. In some countries, bartenders and security staff are trained to respond to harassment or drink spiking. Despite being branded the party island of the Mediterranean, Malta still lacks such policies.
My advocacy targets multiple stakeholders – policymakers, bar owners, event organisers, clubbers, medics – everyone involved in the entertainment ecosystem. The Bristol Harm Reduction Project is a great example of how nightlife, public health and policy can work together to promote safer experiences.
How do you encourage safer choices without making people feel judged?
By giving access to reputable information that speaks honestly about both the benefits and the risks of drug use.
People need to understand onset times, duration, comedowns, and how different methods of consumption affect intensity. Using your own equipment is also important, as exposure can happen through mucous membranes, blood or saliva.
Less is always more – start slow, go low. Setting intentions and planning ahead is key.
And most importantly, don’t compare yourself to others. This isn’t a competition. You can still enjoy a night out without alcohol or drugs — and without the hangover.
Get good sleep, set your intention, and keep your body moving. The dancefloor is, after all, a place to dance, meet strangers and let go.
When you look at dance cultures across Europe, what gives you hope — and what does Malta still need to catch up on?
It’s a tricky question. We often look at places like Germany or the Netherlands as benchmarks, but each country has its own realities. Sometimes scenes move forward, sometimes they move backwards. Italy, for example, banned raves in 2024, while Berlin remains a global rave capital.
I hope the dance scene reconnects with its roots – smaller, tighter communities and the sense of togetherness I experienced around 2005. Being there for each other, sharing a neutral space in the name of music and dancing. No cameras, no frills – just people and dancefloors.
Malta still needs to catch up on several fronts:
- Access to prevention tools
Free water, condoms, hydration sachets, and safe-word systems for harassment, with proper staff training. - Responsible licensing regulations
Making harm reduction tools part of venue licensing, along with clear overdose response procedures. - Dedicated prevention budgets
Funding for drug checking, real-time information apps, and early warnings about dangerous substances or drink spiking. - A national policy on dance culture
Recognising electronic music and nightlife as legitimate culture, and supporting professionals in the sector. - Public funding for artists and organisers
Supporting career development and safer events, from free water and transport to structured harm reduction services.