Keep yourself and your friends safe this party season
The wait is nearly over! With the end-of-year break just around the corner, many of our onshore students are gearing up for some well-earned downtime.
Summer is the perfect moment to unwind, reset and enjoy time with friends and family. You might be heading to festivals, exploring the outdoors, catching up with mates or finally taking that long-planned trip. However you’re celebrating, keep your wellbeing front and centre – you deserve to enjoy the break safely.
Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check out Deakin’s Out and About webpage, which spotlights great activities and events happening around each of our campus locations. From festivals and foodie adventures to sports, nature and arts experiences, there’s something for every vibe.
Remember: it’s your body (and your call)
Choosing whether to drink alcohol or take drugs is entirely personal. It can be hard to push back against peer pressure, but ultimately, it’s your body and your boundaries. There are plenty of ways to have a great time without substances – maybe you just want to enjoy the atmosphere, dance it out or be the designated driver.
If you’d like to connect with others in positive and low-pressure ways, consider joining a club, going to a DUSA event or checking out what’s happening through Out and About. You’re bound to find something fun, social and close to home.
If you choose to drink or use drugs: plan ahead
If you decide to use alcohol or other drugs, a little planning goes a long way. Smartraveller’s updated Partying Safely advice is a must-read – it covers safe partying at home and overseas, looking after your mates, consent, travel tips, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Some quick essentials:
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Drink mindfully. Learn what a ‘standard drink‘ is and consider using apps like DrinkCoach to track your intake.
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Stay hydrated and pace yourself – heat and alcohol are a bad combination.
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If you’re using drugs, know that potency, ingredients and effects vary widely. Mixing with alcohol or energy drinks can increase risks.
According to Dr Matthew Dunn, Senior Lecturer in Deakin’s School of Health and Social Development, the most common illegal drugs are MDMA (ecstasy), methamphetamine and cocaine. While these three drug types are slightly different, they’re all stimulants. Stimulants speed up the central nervous system, so it’s important to watch for warning signs like:
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confusion, slurred speech or vomiting
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overheating or chills
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chest pain, agitation or difficulty breathing
It’s important to remember that the heat can worsen the severity of these symptoms. If something doesn’t feel right, getting help early is crucial.
Be aware of your surroundings
Whether you’re heading to a big event, a road trip, or a weekend away, staying aware of what’s happening around you can help keep you and your friends safe.
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Australian weather can be unpredictable. Check the bushfire danger rating and consider using the VicEmergency app (AppStore and Google Play).
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If you’re driving anywhere, keep yourself and others safe by always staying within the speed limit. Never drive when you’re tired, when you’ve had alcohol or drugs, or while using your mobile.
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Keep an eye on your belongings, your mates, and how much you’ve had to drink. Small steps can prevent big issues.
Travelling overseas during the break? The Partying Safely Hub has practical advice on local laws, cultural differences, drink spiking, emergencies and safer partying practices abroad.
Don’t be afraid to seek help
If you or a friend feels unwell, unsafe or unsure, ask for help straight away. Emergency responders won’t get you in trouble for being honest about what’s been taken.
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At festivals: find first aid tents, paramedics or volunteers.
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At a house party: call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.
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In the city: ask venue staff or security, or call 000.
Act early – it’s always the right call.
Worried about your substance use? Support is available
If you’re worried about your substance use, try these support options and resources:
- Deakin offers free counselling services to students located in Australia. It’s completely confidential and won’t affect your uni record in any way.
- Each state and territory offers a free 24-hour telephone alcohol and drug service that includes confidential counselling, information and referrals.
- The Victorian Poisons Information Centre (131 126) operates a 24/7 hotline if you or someone has overdosed or made a mistake with medicines. Call 131 450 if you don’t speak English or need translating and interpreting services.
- Drug Aware has easy-to-follow information on the different types of drugs and how they may affect you.
- Contact Lifeline for useful information and support on substance misuse and addiction. To chat to a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter, call 13YARN (13 92 76) to yarn in a safe way without judgement.
This information is applicable to Deakin’s onshore students.