Block Party is around the corner and we want you to party safe! Follow these 11 tips to have a good time.
DO:
1. Drink responsibly AND mindfully
Being safe when interacting with substances, including alcohol, is extremely important! Tips like staying hydrated, pacing yourself, and eating before you drink are staple rules to ensure a good night and a good morning (or afternoon, we’re not judging) for the next day. A general rule of thumb: For every standard alcoholic drink, aim for one non-alcoholic drink. Water is your best bet but if you prefer juice or pop, that works too! Electrolyte drinks/packs are also great. You can also try to set a limit for yourself and stay within it, you know yourself best.
2. Test your drugs and practice safer substance use
Test your substances
- Free Fentanyl Test Strips are available outside of AMS Peer Support (NEST 3125), SASC (NEST 3130), and at the UBC Wellness Centre (LIFE 1400).
- Get Your Drugs Tested is an organization in Vancouver that tests your substances to check for unexpected potent substances that may be in your substances
- When testing substances, remember the “Chocolate Chip Cookie Effect”. When testing a substance, you are only testing one small sample of the substance. It’s possible that the sample you test has no potent substances (no chocolate chips), but another portion of the substance does have other substances (chocolate chips).
Know how your substances interact
- Learn how your substances interact (including caffeine, OTC painkillers, prescription medication, and alcohol): http://www.tripsit.me
- Avoid mixing substances that can have adverse reactions when taken together. If you’re unsure, it’s best to stick to one substance for the night. Pharmacists and your family physician can also provide guidance about your prescription medications and interactions with other substances.
Practice Safer Substance use
- Using clean safer substance use supplies can help you avoid infections or other adverse effects. Free safer substance use supplies are available anonymously through AMS Peer Support, place your free order here.
- Start low and go slow: Pace yourself and listen to your body if you feel unwell.
3. Figure out a safe way home before the event
Safewalk Block Party hours: 9 PM – 3 AM (call 604-822-5355). Campus Security is available outside of these hours for support (604-822-2222).
Spontaneous nights can still be fun with a planned way to go home! Whether it would be to take public transit, using Safewalk (604-822-5355), budgeting for Uber/cab costs, or carpooling home with your sober designated driver, having an idea of how to get home is a great way to make sure you end the night on a good note!
4. Know the signs of alcohol poisoning and/or overdose. Be prepared to call 911 or alert event staff.
Signs can include:
- Cold and sweaty skin
- Being unconscious or unresponsive
- Blue or grey lips/nails
- Pinpoint pupils
- Seizures
- Slow/irregular breathing (less than 1 breath per 5 second) or heart rate
- Vomiting (especially for more than 30 minutes in case of alcohol poisoning)
Symptoms can look different for anyone. If you have any doubt, call 911. At Block Party, you can also alert event staff. There will be paramedics on site.
5. Be prepared
This can mean so many things. From carrying safer sex supplies, new and single-use safer substance use supplies (e.g. needles, pipes, straws, etc.), charging your phone or bringing a portable charger, to investing in some ear plugs. There are lots of ways to create a better time for yourself and your friends. At Block Party, AMS Peer Support will have ear plugs, safer sex supplies, fentanyl test strips, and more. You can also visit ams.ubc.ca/peersupport to order your supplies for free in advance. Being prepared can also mean eating before you go out or bringing cash for emergencies.
A safe night looks different for everyone. You can decide what you need for a fun and safe night.
6. Have a buddy with you
Whether it’s for getting home safe (splitting ride-share costs will be cheaper), using substances, or going to the washroom together, having a friend by your side means you can help keep each other safe and have fun together. Before an event, decide on a meeting point in case you get separated.
DON‘T
1. DON’T leave your friend(s) alone
We were taught the Buddy System at a young age for a reason. Have each other’s backs and keep an eye on each other. It’s not cool to leave them alone, especially if they’re feeling unwell. Get help from staff at the event. If your friend is not in the right headspace, keeping them company would be a good idea.
2. DON’T ignore consent
Consent is extremely important for going-out etiquette. Flirt respectfully! Is someone too intoxicated to consent? Leave them alone tonight. Learn more about consent here.
3. DON’T dress without thinking about the weather
For outdoor events, like Block Party, the weather can impact your ability to have fun. With the sun out during the day, it might be fine to not bring a jacket but when it gets dark (and possibly rainy), it can get really cold. A lot of people ditch the jacket because they want to showcase their fun outfits or because it’s annoying to deal with if you’re not wearing it, but the weather is still cold enough in April to need outerwear.
4. DON’T ignore your entrances and exits
Noticing the locations of bathrooms, exits, and first aid tents would make your experience better. Being able to know where everything is can come in handy when you need something, whether it is to use the washroom, knowing where medical staff are, or if you just have a question.
5. DON’T take Tylenol the day of or after drinking
Combining acetaminophen and alcohol can cause liver damage. For pain relief, opt for alternatives like ibuprofen (Advil) instead.