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5 Keys to Staying Safe This Welcome Week (and Beyond!) 

Welcome Week is a time for celebration for many students, and that can sometimes involve using substances like alcohol. If you choose to consume substances this Welcome Week (or throughout the year), follow these five simple keys to help keep yourself—and others—safe!

 

Plan Ahead

Planning ahead means thinking about what your night might look like and taking steps to prevent things from going off the rails. This can include: 

  • Setting a personal limit for substances 
  • Making a plan if you and your friends get separated 
  • Deciding how you’ll get home at the end of the night 

Setting a substance limit can help you stay in control and safe. Think about how you’ll stick to your limit, and how you’ll say no if offered more. For example, you might: 

  • Leave your cash or debit card at home to avoid buying more alcohol 
  • Practice simple refusal statements to feel more confident 

Remember that zero is the safest limit when: 

  • You’re taking medication or other drugs 
  • You’re responsible for others’ safety 
  • You plan to drive 
  • You’re pregnant 
  • You’re doing any risky physical activity 
  • You’re making important decisions 

Make a plan with your friends in case someone gets separated. You could: 

  • Keep your phones on and ringer volume up 
  • Set a designated meeting point if someone gets lost 
  • Choose a spot to regroup at the end of the night 

Designate a sober friend (maybe that’s you!) to help keep the group together and make sure everyone gets home safely—whether it’s by driving, helping others navigate transit, or simply keeping track of everyone. Also, make sure you know who to call in an emergency. 

 

If Using Substances, Try Harm Reduction

Harm reduction recognizes that some people will use substances and provides strategies to reduce potential risks. Some general tips include: 

  • Never use substances alone 
  • Eat and drink water before and during use 
  • Only use one substance at a time 
  • Never accept substances from someone you don’t know 
  • Never go home with someone you don’t know—especially after using substances 
  • Never drive under the influence 

You can also pick up harm reduction supplies to stay safer. These include: 

  • Condoms and lube 
  • Water bottles 
  • Drug testing strips 
  • Drink covers 

Want to learn more?
Check out: 

 

Wait Until Everyone Is Sober Before Engaging in Sexual Activity

Sexual consent is a dynamic and ongoing process. It’s not a one-time “yes”—it’s an ongoing conversation and should be freely given, reversible, informed, enthusiastic (or engaged), and specific. A helpful acronym is F.R.I.E.S. 

Substances like alcohol can make consent more complicated. They can: 

  • Reduce inhibitions and affect decision-making 
  • Impair memory, language, and judgment 
  • Delay information processing and cause slower response times 
  • Lead to incapacitation (e.g. passing out), which means no consent is possible 

Consent requires an engaged and ongoing “yes,” not just the absence of a “no.” 

It’s safer to wait until both people are sober and able to make fully informed decisions before engaging in sexual activity. 

Want to learn more?
Consider taking the online course 1A00 – It Takes All of Us to better understand consent and the impact of substances. 

If you or someone you know experiences sexual violence (even while under the influence), support is available: 

McMaster Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO)
📍 University Hall (UH) 104
📞 905-525-9140 ext. 27581
📧 svpro@mcmaster.ca 

SACHA – Sexual Assault Centre (Hamilton and Area)
📞 24/7 support line: 905-525-4162 

 

Be Prepared to Prevent Opioid Overdose

Opioid overdoses can be fatal. If you or your friends might be using opioids, carry naloxone and know what to do in an emergency. 

🩹 Pick up a free naloxone kit at participating pharmacies. Find one near you. 

Signs of opioid overdose: 

  • Trouble staying awake or talking 
  • Purple, blue, or grey lips/nails 
  • Cold, clammy skin 
  • Slow or no breathing 
  • Tiny pupils 
  • Unresponsiveness or trouble waking 

If you think someone is overdosing: 

  1. Administer naloxone 
  2. Roll them into the recovery position (on their side with airway open) 
  3. Call for emergency help 

On campus: Call Campus Safety by dialing 88 from a campus phone or 905-522-4135 from a cellphone.
Off campus: Call 911.

Ensure that you tell the emergency dispatcher that opioids may be involved, as well as your exact location (i.e. building, address, floor number, room number, etc.). 

Want to learn more? 

Check out:  

Government of Canada website 

Know More Opioids- Health Canada- Online Self-Led Training Module 

 

Get Home Safe

Never drive under the influence.
If you’ve used substances, take a: 

  • Bus 
  • Taxi 
  • Uber 
  • Walk—with a buddy or with SWHAT 

If you get separated from your friends, don’t walk home alone. Call the Student Walk Home Attendant Team (SWHAT): 

📍 Visit MUSC 234 during hours
📅 Book your walk online
📞 Call 905-525-9140 x27500
🔗 Visit their website 

 

Welcome Week is about having fun, connecting with others, and making memories—but your safety always comes first. Stay safe this week and every week, Marauders! 💜🦅 

 Alcohol, Cannabis, & Substances,  Culture,  Life Events,  Relationships,  Sexual Health,  Sexual Violence