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There are a number of issues that you need to think about such as:
• Staying safe from heatstroke, eg, drinking the right amount of water
• The risks of taking illegal drugs
• Going with friends you can trust to look out for you
• Working out how to get home safely
• Safer sex
• The dangers of mixing alcohol and drugs
DRUG SAFETY
Possessing or supplying drugs is against the law.
This could result in a fine or imprisonment.
The safest option is to not take illegal drugs.
If you choose to use drugs be prepared and be aware of the risks!
Dont let this happen to you! >>
• Drugs can affect you differently depending on the drug's contents, your mood, and the situation.
• If you choose to use drugs, you should plan what you are going to take beforehand, not when you're "out of it" at the party.
• Be around friends from the time the drug takes effect until it wears off.
• Tell your friends if you are taking drugs and what drugs they are. They can then be prepared if something goes wrong.
The effects of drugs can change depending on where you are, who you are with, how physically fit you are and how you're feeling.
• If you're not feeling to good about yourself, are anxious, depressed or moody, then using drugs is likely to make you feel worse.
• Having no problems with one drug does not mean that you won't have any problems with another
• Even if you use the same drug again it may affect you differently
• It is hard to know how strong a drug is going to be or how it will affect you before you take it
• If you choose to take drugs, only take a small amount of the drug and wait for it to take effect before taking the rest. Illegal drugs do not have a consistent quality so each tablet may have a different effect.
• Be aware that the lighter your body weight the more powerful the effects of the drugs.
>> For a detailed run down on psycoactive drugs and their effects check out Erowids archive.
Go with a group of friends you can trust.
• Tell someone responsible where you are going.
• Stay with your friends or check with them during the party to make sure that everyone is ok.
• Let someone know if you are leaving so they don't worry if they can't find you.
Work out how to get home.
• Organise a safe driver who will stay sober, drug free and how will have had some sleep.
• Arrange a back-up ride home. You may need money for a taxi or bus.
• Don't get in the cab if you are uneasy about the driver. Always get in the back seat.
• It could be unsafe to go home alone or with someone you have only just met.
Have a light meal before you go.
• This will line your stomach and give you more energy for dancing.
AVOID HEAT STROKE
Heat stroke can be dangerous, even fatal. It can occur when people dance in hot spaces, and don't drink enough water.
• If you're dancing it is important to keep cool and take regular breaks from hot and crowded dance floors.
• Drinking water and eating salty snacks will keep your energy and fluids up.
• Water is better to cool you down than caffeinated energy drinks particularly if you are taking drugs.
• In addition it is good to drink one fruit juice, power drink or caffeine-free drink per hour to help your body retain essential minerals.
Always watch your drink. Someone could slip some powder or a tablet into it without you knowing.
For the following reasons it is important to sip 600 mls of water each hour (one H2GO bottle or similar holds 650 mls of water)
Ecstasy tends to prevent people from feeling tired or thirsty so there is more risk of heat stroke. Some people have died from serious heat stroke when their bodies have become too hot and their blood loses its ability to clot. This is why you need to drink your 600 mls of water each hour.
Drinking too much water while taking ecstasy can also cause death. This happens when water builds up inside the body and brain cells, causing the brain to swell and become crushed against the inside of the skull. A few people have also died from heart attacks and brain haemorrhage. This is why you should sip no more than 600 mls each hour.
Signs of heat stroke are:
• Not sweating
• Cramps in the legs, arms and back
• Headache, dizziness, fatigue
• Vomiting
• Dark yellow/brown urine and not much of it.
• Sudden tiredness, irritation and confusion.
If any of these things happen it is crucial that you cool down as quickly as possible. Go to a chill-out area. Remove some clothing and apply cold water or ice to the body, eg, the neck, head, wrists and armpits etc. and sip water. Seek medical attention immediately!
If someone collapses and is unconscious don't give water but call and ambulance immediately! ··· Ring 111
SAFER SEX
Drugs can affect your decision making so be aware of what you are doing.
• Always carry and use condoms and lube.
• Condoms protect you and your partner from HIV, other sexually transmissible infections and unplanned pregnancy.
• Use them even if you are on the pill
• Be aware of rape - keep in safe areas
Ask friends to watch out for you and do the same for them.
Checklist of what you need to take with you
• Tickets
• Money for taxi, drinks etc
• Condoms and lube
• Identification(people may need to know who you are if something goes wrong)
• A filled water bottle. Not all dance parties provide water and some charge for it
• Cool clothing for dancing
• For an outdoor party suitable footwear, warmer layers and some water-proof gear, you may need a torch, blanket, tent, sunblock and sunglasses.
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