New friends. New experiences. And? New responsibilities.
Whether you're heading to a party or a night out with friends, knowing a few safety basics can help you and your friends have a better night.
If you choose to drink know your limits
This could be the first time you are being exposed to alcohol or cannabis. If you decide to drink or use cannabis, remember that you don't need to keep up with others and, it's okay to slow down or call it a night. Not everyone at a party is over drinking.
Remember:
- Don’t mix alcohol, cannabis and other substances (including prescription medication)
- Pour your own drinks and don’t leave your drink unattended
- Pace yourself (no more than two drinks in three hours)
- Drink water regularly and eat before a night out
- Choose lower risk cannabis products (products with a high CBD to THC content) and go slow
Look out for your friends
A fun night out starts with a plan and ends with everyone getting home safely.
Friend checklist:
- Plan a ride home
- Charge your phone
- Share your location and plans with a trusted person or friend
- Check in with your friends throughout the night
- Never leave someone behind
Checking in on your friends and sending a "home safe" text can help everyone have a good time.
When to call for help
If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts and call for help. Calling for help is never overreacting or snitching. Responding quickly can save someone's life in an overdose or alcohol poisoning situation.
Overdose
If you notice someone who has blue lips or nails, has pinpoint pupils, appears dizzy or confused, can’t be woken up, is making choking, gurgling or snoring sounds, or has very slow breathing might be overdosing.
What to do:
- Call 911 ASAP. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdoes Act protects you during overdose emergencies, even if carrying drugs.
- Give naloxone – follow the directions on the kit
- Stay with them
Most local pharmacies, including the Student Health Pharmacy on campus provide free naloxone kits.
Safe opioid use
Opioids are a type of drug used to relieve pain. This can include prescription medications, as well as illegal drugs. While effective when used as directed, opioids are highly addictive and can be dangerous if misused.
Remember to:
- Only use opioids that were prescribed to you, as directed by your physician
- Not use illicit drugs, as they may be contaminated with other harmful drugs
Alcohol poisoning
If you notice someone who has been drinking excessively and is not responding when being talked to or pinched, vomits while sleeping, cannot stand, has slow or irregular breathing, skin is clammy or cool to touch they might have alcohol poisoning.
What to do:
- Call 911 for an ambulance
- Put them in the recovery position
- Stay with them
Recovery position how-to
If someone is unconscious and breathing, put them in the recovery position.
- Open their airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin
- Straighten the legs
- Place the arm nearest to you at right angles to their body
- Pull the arm furthest from you across their chest and place the back of their hand against the cheek nearest to you
- Get hold of the far leg, just above the knee, and pull it up, keeping the foot flat on the ground
- Keep their hand pressed against the cheek and pull on the upper leg to roll them towards you, and onto their side
- Tilt the head back to make sure they can breathe easily
- Make sure that both the hip and the knee of the upper leg are bent at right angle
Consent is the vibe
Remember that consent is F.R.I.E.S. (freely given, reversable, informed, engaged, specific). Getting and giving consent increases feelings of comfort and safety and demonstrates respect for others
- Consent is ongoing; be ready to accept “no” at any point, even if you heard “yes” earlier.
- Know to take “NO” for an answer
- Only a sober, enthusiastic “yes” means yes. Saying yes to one thing does not mean saying yes to everything
- You can only consent to something if you have all the information (will we be using protection?)
Build your community
While parties can be fun, there are lots of different ways to meet new friends, build relationships, and connect with others.
Here are some ways to find your people that don't involve late nights or alcohol:
The bottom line
The best nights are about making memories, not how much you drank. Remember to have fun, drink responsibly, and check in on your friends. Know the warning signs of an emergency and always put consent and respect first.
New memories. New stories. And? New ways of taking care of yourself. Check out campus health and well-being resources to make yourself a priority while making the most of student life.