Minimizing Risk: Safety Tips for Spring Break 

Statistics show that for college students, substance use can spike during spring break. This could include excessive alcohol consumption, overdoses, and substance-related risks. It is critical to expand your knowledge of safety tips to reduce harm and help keep yourself and other students safe.

 

What is Harm Reduction?

Definition: Harm reduction is a health practice that aims to minimize negative outcomes and enhance safety using practical measures.

In the context of substance use, harm reduction looks like carrying naloxone for reversing overdoses, using fentanyl testing strips, and planning transportation for you and your friends to arrive and leave places safely.

At the Center for Campus Wellness we offer naloxone training, bystander intervention workshops, supplies such as drink counters, sleeves to cover your drink, and other workshops discussing about safety, substances, and harm reduction! 

 

How to Stay Safe this Spring Break

Here are some additional safety tips to consider ahead of Spring Break: 

1. The Buddy System: Stay with trusted friends to ensure you can watch out for each other
2. Avoid Unknown Substances: Unknown drugs could contain lethal doses of fentanyl
   • Also, it is always wise to never leave your drink unattended. Let your friends know if you see someone put something in their drink. 
3. Recognize Signs of Overdose: Difficulty breathing, unconsciousness, or bluish skin could mean immediate medical attention is required. Utah’s Good Samaritan law protects people who seek emergency medical help for an overdose
4. Know Your Limits: It is crucial to pace yourself, stay hydrated, and well fed to avoid alcohol poisoning and dangerous situations from impaired judgment
5. Plan Transportation: Arrange plans in advance to arrive safely and together. This could mean arranging a designated driver, rideshare services, or public transportation

 

The Takeaway

The goal of harm reduction is not to enforce the direct reduction of substance use but to equip people with the knowledge and resources to aid in emergency situations and avoid dangerous scenarios.

Connect with the CCW to learn more ways you can challenge stereotypes about substance use and/or find support with our peer group, Recovery at the U.  

 

References: 

National Harm Reduction Coalition 

International Harm Reduction 

South Carolina Office of Substance Use Service