'Safer Together' Concert in Austin To Help Reduce Substance Abuse

Austin TX

23 November, 2021

3:03 PM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — The Travis County District Attorney's office has partnered with Red River Cultural District and SIMS Foundation to present a new concert series called "Safer Together." "Safer Together: Overdose Prevention & Harm Reduction Saves Lives" will be a one-day, multi-venue music event that will kick off from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4 at Mohawk, The Green Jay and Empire Control Room in Austin. The concert will help raise awareness and funds for SIMS, whose mission is to help reduce substance use issues while supporting and enhancing the wellbeing of the music community at large. Live in Austin? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone. This event is also part of DA Jose Garza's new strategy to reduce the number of overdose-related deaths in the area after Travis County recently experienced a 30 percent increase last year compared to 2019, authorities said. "We know that we must treat substance use disorder and overdoses in our community as a public health issue, and doing so will make our community safer. This concert series and fundraiser is a creative way to address the stigma facing people suffering from substance use disorder, raise awareness, and save lives," Garza said. Organizers said they have curated a mix of both established and up-and-coming acts from the local music scene with ten bands now set to perform. Some of the acts include Blackillac, STRCK, and Sheridan Reed, Billy King and the Bad Bad Bad and Moon Medallion, Otis the Destroyer, Rare Bloom, Aspen 88, and Hey Hey Baby. Each Safer Together concert will be free to attend, although donations will be suggested with 100 percent of proceeds being donated to SIMS Foundation. "As the only non-profit in the nation that provides mental health and substance use services and supports to everyone in the music industry and their dependent family members, we've worked with many clients struggling with substance use issues," said SIMS Executive Director Patsy Dolan Bouressa. "We know all too well the pain and suffering that these individuals, and those who love them, experience as a result of this issue. As a result, we were thrilled to know that District Attorney Jose Garza was focused on this issue and are happy to have a partner in the Red River Cultural District on this effort." To make a donation to the local nonprofit, fans are encouraged to text SIMS to 44312; use Pay Pal via [email protected]; visit simsfoundation.org/donate; or with cash. Looking for more eateries, shops or fun things to do in the Austin Metro? Check out our Austin Local's Guide.