Party Safe this summer!

Posted Friday June 15, 2018

Posted By: Christine Taylor

Category: General

Party Safe while celebrating throughout the summer  

Whether you’re going out for a drink or plan to party all night long, know these party safe tips before going out.

Make it Unforgettable for the right reasons.

• Don’t mix drugs with other substances like alcohol.
• Using more than one drug at a time increases the risk of overdose.
• Stay hydrated with water and take breaks from dancing to prevent dehydration and overheating.
• Don’t accept drinks (even water) from people you don’t know - there is increased risk of alcohol and drug-facilitated sexual assaults at large festivals.  
• When you arrive at the festival, take a moment to find the first aid tent just in case you need to seek help for yourself or someone else.

Remember the only thing that helps you sober up is time. It takes time for the liver to break down and get rid of alcohol from your body. 

Anything can be cut with Fentanyl/carfentanil. 
This means you never know what is in the illicit or street drugs you are taking.

SPEAK UP!

• Don’t be afraid to say if you feel unsafe or don’t feel well.
  Seek help from friends, first aid providers or festival support staff.
  If you have been sexually assaulted or experienced abuse, help is available. 

• Plan a safe ride home before you go out – have a DD, plan your bus route or Uber/Lyft before going out. Remember... impaired walking or cycling is not a safe way to get home.
• Safe Travels with OC Transpo 
  Tips to help you ride safely every step of your journey 

• Never Use Alone – Carry Naloxone
  Go slow. Anyone is at risk of an OD
  Know the signs of an OD and call 9-1-1 It’s a medical emergency

Festivalgoers should also be familiar with the signs of an opioid overdose, which include:

• Breathing will be slow or absent
• Lips and nails are blue 
• Person is not moving
• Person may be choking
• Person will make gurgling or snoring sounds
• Person can’t be woken up
• Skin feels cold and clammy
• Pupils are tiny (also known as pinpoint)

You can help someone with heat-related illness by doing these things:

• Move the person to a cooler place
• Call for help as necessary
• Have the person lie down and rest
• Apply cool water to skin, fan the wet skin and reapply often
• Have the person drink fluids such as water, juice 
• Apply ice to head, neck and armpit areas
• If the person is showing signs of heat stroke call 9-1-1 immediately

Don’t be afraid to call 9-1-1 for help

Additional information:

• Alcohol
• Alcohol and caffeine
• Cannabis
• Stop Overdose Ottawa 

Back to Blog