Drugs and Alcohol
Tips for staying safe when out on the town
1) If you’re going out plan how you’ll get home. Make sure you
won’t be walking anywhere alone. Whether you’re male or female,
as a young person out at night you are vulnerable.
Use a reputable taxi firm you can book a taxi with. Keep their number in your
phone. You will find that if you use the same firm regularly they will try
and fit you in, you can build trust, and feel safe on the journey home.
2) Look after your drink. Spiking is more common than you would think. The motive is not always rape, it can be to steal from you or it can be done by a ‘mate’ (although a true friend wouldn’t spike you). Don’t leave your drinks unattended, and if they look different or taste different throw it away it’s not worth the risk.
3) If someone you don’t know offers to buy you a drink politely say no - or if you really must accept it go to the bar with them and watch it being poured - it sounds like you’re being paranoid but it has been known to happen that people get spiked this way.
4) If you think that you or a friend may have been spiked - stay together! It would be safest to go to the hospital - or at least get home. Don’t worry that you may be wasting the hospital's time - it’s better to be safe than pay the consequences later.
5) If you are planning to experiment with a drug find out as much information as you can about your drug of choice. Knowing about the risks, the effects and ‘harm minimisation’ information can help you stay safer- but remember NO DRUG IS SAFE.
6) As street drugs are not regulated they have no ‘standard’ of purity, be cautious. Always try a small amount first - even experienced users have been caught out! Never assume!!!
7) Drugs and alcohol change the way we feel and see the world, and whilst under the influence people are more likely to take risks they normally wouldn’t.
a) when going out have a phone or money to phone home or someone you trust should you feel unsafe or are stuck somewhere you are unsure of.
b) don’t go anywhere you are unfamiliar with or with people you don’t know
c) take a condom (free from family planning or PDAC offices)