ACMT
@ NACCT

ACMT Pre-Symposium
Wed. September 17

ACMT 26th Annual Clinical Pathological (CPC) Presentation Competition
Thu. September 18

ACMT FIT Roundtable
Fri. September 19

ACMT Practice Symposium: The Great THC Debate
Sat. September 20

ACMT Scientific Symposium | The Toxicology of Sleep
Sat. September 20

ACMT FIT Visiting Professor Lecture | Who? Me? UME: Medical Toxicologists in Undergraduate Medical Education
Sun. September 21

Pre-Symposium | Beyond the Beat: Toxicology and Harm Reduction at Mass Gatherings

Join the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) at the 2025 North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology (NACCT) in Chicago from September 17-21. The ACMT Pre-Meeting on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 will explore the fascinating topic of Toxicology and Harm Reduction at Mass Gatherings.

Join us for an engaging full-day pre-symposium exploring the complex toxicological landscape of mass gatherings, from raves to music festivals. As these events continue to draw large crowds with distinct patterns of substance use and environmental stressors, staying informed is critical. This session provides a comprehensive overview of emerging drug trends, environmental risk factors, and harm reduction strategies. Attendees will gain practical insights into evidence-based interventions and strategies designed to reduce harm, manage medical crises, and improve outcomes for attendees. Tailored for healthcare providers interested in clinical toxicology, this pre-symposium is your chance to stay at the forefront of research and practice in this dynamic area of public health and emergency response.

Learner Objectives

  1. Describe drug trends and risk profiles, including substances encountered at mass gatherings like novel psychoactive substances, synthetic drugs, and recreational drugs.
  2. Explain how environmental and physical stressors, such as crowd density and temperature, impact toxicological risk and emergency response.
  3. Outline harm reduction and public health initiatives, including on-site medical services, peer education, and policies that improve outcomes.
  4. Discuss the medical and legal challenges in managing overdoses and crises, highlighting law enforcement collaboration and event team preparedness.

Registration information can be found on the NACCT website at: www.clintox.org/nacct

ACMT Pre-Symposium Agenda | September 17, 2025
Beyond the Beat: Toxicology and Harm Reduction at Mass Gatherings

All times listed in local (Central) time zone.

9:00-9:05 AMWelcome & Opening Remarks
9:05-10:05 AMManaging High-Risk EventsDavid Obert, DO, Medical Director, UMC Emergency Department; Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
10:05-10:35 AMThe Pathophysiology of Heat & CrowdsKristina Domanski, MD, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
10:35-10:50 AMMorning Break (15m)
10:50-11:20 AMToxicology of MDMACaitlin Bonney, MD, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
11:20-12:05 PMOther Commonly Encountered DrugsBenjamin Hatten, MD, MPH, Medical Toxicologist, Toxicology Associates & Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado
12:05-1:15 PMBreak for Lunch (70m)
1:15-1:45 PMEmerging Psychoactive Substances in the USAxel Adams, MD, MS, Toxicon Consortium
1:45-2:30 PMCurrent NPS trends in the UK and EuropePaul Dargan, MD, MBBS, FACMT, Guyโ€™s and St. Thomasโ€™ NHS Foundation Trust
2:30-3:30 PMMass Gathering Harm Reduction and Drug Safety in ActionChelsea Rose Pires, Executive Director, Zendo Project
3:30-3:45 PMAfternoon Break (15m)
3:45-4:15 PMChemistry of Reagent Field TestingSabrina Kaplan, MD, Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety
4:15-5:00 PMLegal and Ethical Considerations for Toxicologists in Mass GatheringsPatil Armenian, MD, Professor of Emergency Medicine & Medical Toxicology, University of California San Francisco โ€“ Fresno