THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 6
How to: Stay safe in Aggieland them,” Richardson said. “We’ve all had that gut feeling about a particular person or place or something like that. That’s our body trying to tell us something’s wrong. For our instincts to work, though, we have to be aware of our surroundings — they tie in together.” Use the Buddy System Richardson said there is safety in numbers, and it is best to go out with a group of people. “Watch out for your friends, and have your friends watch out for you,” Richardson said. “Don’t leave them behind; don’t try to meet up with them later. Stay together, and stay in the group.”
Resources, tips to have fun, stay safe on nights out with friends, strangers in social atmospheres By Kathryn Miller @KathrynMiller0
C
ollege is the prime time to have new experiences, meet new people and try things outside of your comfort zone. However, during these fun times, ensuring the safety of yourself and others should be the top priority when out in Aggieland. Here are six tips to have a safe night out with friends in public:
Gabrielle Shreve — THE BATTALION
Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts University Police Department, or UPD, Lt. Bobby Richardson said when in public, it is essential to pay constant attention to everything going on around you. “Today, we spend a lot of time on our phones or listening to music with earbuds. We get distracted with technologies,” Richardson said. “Mainly, just keep your head up, [be] alert, and pay attention to your surroundings.” If something feels wrong, Richardson said it is important to trust your gut. “Trust your instincts, and don’t ignore
Always watch your drinks Richardson said he urges individuals to be extra vigilant when consuming alcohol in public settings. “Don’t drink from a can or bottle that you didn’t open yourself or that bar staff [didn’t give] you, and don’t leave your drink unattended,” Richardson said. “Avoid things like punch bowls or drinks that are being passed around in a group setting. If your drink has an unusual taste or appearance, like a salty taste or unexplained residue, just throw it out. And again, watch out for your friends, and have your friends watch out for you.” Drink spiking is a deliberate act that involves putting alcohol into a non-alcoholic drink, adding extra alcohol to an alcoholic beverage or slipping prescription or illegal drugs, such as benzodiazepines or amphetamines, into a drink, according to an article on the Better Health Channel’s website, managed by Australia’s Department of Health. “Women are more likely to have their drinks spiked than men,” the article reads. “Many people do not think they are at risk of drink spiking and do not consider it a common occurrence. Drinks can be spiked by people you know or have just met. You may not consider an unknown person to be a stranger after talking to them for a while — then [you] are more likely to accept a drink from them.” According to a post by @studentbeans on Instagram, common ways to distinguish if a drink has been tampered with or spiked is a foggy appearance, excess bubbles, sinking ice or change in color.
The Better Health website reads that drink spiking symptoms may include: • “Feeling drunk, woozy or drowsy • “Feeling ‘out of it’ or drunker than expected • “Mental confusion • “Speech difficulties, such as slurring • “Memory loss • “Loss of inhibitions • “Nausea and vomiting • “Breathing problems • “Muscle spasms or seizures • “Loss of consciousness • “An unusually long hangover • “A severe hangover when you had little or no alcohol to drink.” Always plan a ride ahead, and never drink and drive Richardson said it is crucial to never drink and drive, to designate a sober driver before going out and to give that driver your keys. “Just don’t drink and drive,” Richardson said. “Drinking and driving is a choice. Make the right one.” One alternative if a group doesn’t have a designated driver is utilizing Texas A&M’s CARPOOL services. CARPOOL is a university rideshare program dedicated to ending drunk driving in the Bryan-College Station area. The company’s goal is to give safe, non-judgmental and confidential rides home to anyone, including non-students, in the Bryan-College Station area for free. Director of CARPOOL Public Relations Emily Fillip said CARPOOL’s services are available on Friday and Saturday nights from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. “Our main concern is to keep drunk drivers off the road and get them home safely, but you do not need to be drunk to get a ride,” Fillip said. “If you ever find yourself stranded somewhere or in an unsafe situation and need a ride home, we can take you home. All the resident needs to do is call our number, 979693-9905, which is also on the back of the [A&M] Student IDs. Once they call, one of our members will pick up and begin to put them on the waitlist.” Know the signs of alcohol poisoning Besides utilizing CARPOOL’s services, Fillip said it is important to be aware of the symptoms of alcohol poisoning, to stay hydrated while drinking and to always stick
