EDUCATE YOURSELF: SUBSTANCE USE SAFETY
Welcome to our tips on partying safety, where we prioritize your well-being and provide strategies to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Events like festivals are vibrant and exhilarating, and we want you to have a fantastic time while making informed choices. By following these essential tips, you can reduce the potential risks associated with drug use and ensure a memorable festival experience.
No drugs or alcohol are always the safest, but if you choose to use, we want to raise awareness and educate you about the current risks to reduce harm.
1. Start Low and Go Slow – Take a Small Test Dose:
If you choose to experiment with drugs, start with a low dose to assess how your body reacts to the substance. Gradually increase your dosage if needed, allowing time for the effects to manifest before considering additional consumption.
2. Keep Cool & Stay Hydrated
Festivals often involve outdoor activities and high temperatures, so it’s crucial to stay cool and hydrated. Drink water regularly to prevent dehydration and heat-related illnesses. Take breaks in shaded areas and use sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
3. Be in the Know Before You Go: Stay Up to Date with Current Drug Trends
Stay informed about the current drug trends, including the prevalence and potential risks associated with specific substances.
Educate yourself about the potential effects, dosages, and risks of the drugs you may encounter at the festival.
4. Leave the Mixing to the DJ: Avoid Mixing Drugs, Including Alcohol and Prescription Medication
Mixing different substances, including alcohol and prescription medications, can lead to unpredictable and potentially dangerous interactions. To reduce potential risks, avoid combining substances and stick to a single substance at a time.
5. Know the Signs of a Drug Emergency: When in Doubt, Get Checked
Familiarize yourself with the signs of a drug emergency, such as severe intoxication, hallucinations, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.
If you or someone around you experiences concerning symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek immediate medical assistance.
6. Have a Buddy: Avoid Using Alone & Carry Naloxone
It’s crucial to have a trusted friend or buddy system to support each other and recognize any potential issues. If using opioids or in an environment where opioid use is prevalent, carry naloxone, an emergency medication that can reverse opioid overdoses.
Conclusion:
Prioritizing your safety at festivals is essential, particularly when it comes to drug use. By starting low and going slow, staying cool and hydrated, being informed about current drug trends, avoiding mixing substances, knowing the signs of a drug emergency, having a buddy system, and carrying naloxone if necessary, you can reduce potential risks and enhance your festival experience. Remember to make responsible choices, take care of yourself and those around you, and enjoy the festival to the fullest. Have a fantastic and safe time!
Other Ways to Give
GIFTS OF HOPE PROGRAM
Our Gifts of Hope program work with patients, families, and front-line clinical staff to identify the unique patient wellness gaps in our system.
ONE-TIME GIFT OR MONTHLY GIVING
Being an agent of change is more than just a financial gift, it is a commitment to save lives and support those in our community that are most vulnerable.
GIFTS OF CELEBRATION
Whether you are celebrating a wedding, birthday, anniversary, retirement or life milestone, we are thrilled that you’re turning your celebration into an opportunity to gift hope to someone struggling with substance use.
GIVE IN MEMORY OR IN HONOUR
A gift in memory or in honour is a beautiful way to pay tribute to someone dear to you. With your support, we can save lives.
DONATE ITEMS
If you are interested in donating gently used items to directly support individuals.
Contact Us
45 Montreal Road
Vanier, ON K1L 6E8
Follow Us
Mission
To improve the health and wellness of individuals while helping families and communities better understand the challenges of substance use health, complex mental health disorders, and illness from infectious diseases.
*Please note that Pathways to Recovery does not directly provide clinical services. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or visit your nearest Emergency Department.