Party safe, Party hard

University life often comes with new freedoms, including legal drinking, parties, raves, doofs, and the occasional urge to experiment with drugs. However, this freedom comes with serious risks, especially when it comes to substances that can have dangerous side effects. Understanding the risks and knowing how to stay safe is essential before making decisions about drug use.

Here are my top 10 tips to help you and others to be safer if you choose to participate:

1. Know what you’re getting into: Know the effects you will experience, especially any side effects that you might experience. When you take something, you can’t reduce the effects, time is the only thing that will fully help. Be ready to commit to what you’re taking and be ready for anything.

2. Stay hydrated, but don’t overdo it: Especially when taking stimulants like MDMA, dehydration is a risk, but overhydration can also be dangerous. Sip water regularly, but avoid drinking too much at once.

3. Seek help if needed: In Australia, calling 000 won’t get you in trouble, and medical personnel are there to help, not to judge.

4. Know emergency signs: Learn the symptoms of overdose and bad reactions, such as shallow breathing, unconsciousness, or seizures, and be prepared to act.

5. Test your substances: If you have access to a pill-testing service like CanTEST in Canberra, take advantage of it to check for harmful substances like fentanyl or dangerous fillers. Knowing what you're taking is essential, especially when mixing drugs.

6. Take breaks: Give your body time to recover between drug uses. Frequent use increases the risk of dependence and negative effects. Even on one use, make sure to not become too overheated, remove yourself from people or loud noises and make sure to stay calm to reduce the chance of a bad trip. 

7. Have at least one sober friend: If you and all your friends are on something, you’ll want someone whose senses aren’t affected and can help in case there's ever an emergency. Make sure they can recognise the warning signs, know how to put someone in the recovery position just in case, and can seek help if needed. 

8. Start small: If you're new, begin with small doses of each substance. Wait to see how your body reacts before consuming more. Even if you don’t feel anything, wait at least an hour, because your metabolism might just be slow. If you’ve taken it before, still wait and see as you never know if something has changed. 

9. Eat beforehand: Consuming food before taking drugs can reduce nausea and help your body metabolise the substances more effectively.
   

10. Avoid mixing substances: If you want to, make sure you know what might happen. Below is a table on combinations to avoid as they’re deadly, and combinations that are tested to be on the safe side. But either way, be extremely cautious. Especially try to avoid mixing depressants as those can dangerously lower your heart rate.

Common Illicit Drugs in Australia

According to Health Direct, the most commonly used drugs in Australia are:

• Cannabis (marijuana, weed, pot): The most widely used substance, aside from alcohol.

• Cocaine (coke, crack, blow): A stimulant that produces short-lived effects, increasing the risk of addiction.

• Ecstasy (Molly, MDMA): Known as the party drug, often used at raves and festivals, it produces energising effects and alters time and perception.

Drug Classifications and Their Effects

Depressants (Downers)

• Examples: Alcohol, cannabis, ketamine, opioids

• Positive effects: Relaxation, reduced anxiety, lowered inhibitions

• Negative effects: Impaired judgement, vomiting, blackouts, unconsciousness, and even death

Stimulants (Uppers)

• Examples: Ecstasy, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines

• Positive effects: Euphoria, alertness, excitement

• Negative effects: Insomnia, psychosis, anxiety, reduced appetite

Hallucinogens

• Examples: LSD, PCP, magic mushrooms

• Positive effects: Hallucinations, relaxation, sense of detachment

• Negative effects: Nausea, muscle spasms, paranoia, unconsciousness

Help is Available

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, there are resources that can help:

• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

• Headspace: headspace.org.au

• Lifeline: 13 11 14

• SANE Australia: 1800 18 7263

• Cracks in the Ice: cracksintheice.org.au

• Drug Help: health.gov.au/our-work/drug-help

In an emergency, always call 000, especially if someone is unresponsive, vomiting, or showing signs of severe distress.

How to Help a Friend

If you're at a party and notice someone showing adverse effects:

• Stay calm: Remove them from loud environments.

• Keep them hydrated: Provide small sips of water.

• Monitor them: If they pass out, place them in the recovery position to prevent choking.

• Call for help: Contact emergency services if symptoms worsen. Remember, you won't get in trouble for seeking help.

Harm Reduction

Canberra offers CanTEST, a pill-testing service available Thursdays and Fridays, where you can safely test substances for harmful ingredients like fentanyl. Other harm reduction tips include starting with smaller doses, staying hydrated, and never mixing drugs.

If you do happen to mix drugs however, it’s important to know which combinations are deadly and which ones are risky. Start small, avoid mixing depressants (can dangerously slow your heart rate), hydrate, take breaks, and have a plan.

Risk it to Mix it?

Green = very little side effects but on the safe side

Yellow = be cautious

Orange = unsafe

Red = deadly

Information from combo.tripsit.me

While university is a time for new experiences, staying informed and safe is crucial. If you choose to experiment, do it in a way that minimises risks for you and others.