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Party Smart

Party Smart

Spartans celebrate big, and Spartans party smart.  

This guide can help you plan and enjoy safe celebrations. Included are alcohol safety tips and information on how to stay safe at parties so you and your friends have the best experience.  

Our Top Tips for Harm Reduction 

  • Before You Go Out:
    • Have a Plan: Talk to your friends about where you’re going and who you’re going with, as well as a backup plan. This avoids confusion and makes sure no one ends up in an unsafe situation.
    • Set a Limit: Stay in control by deciding how many drinks you feel comfortable having. Keep track in your phone or by saving bottle caps or cans.
    • Eat Before, During, and After Drinking: Have a meal before drinking and bring snacks to eat throughout the night. Drinking on an empty stomach can make you feel sick or risk a worse hangover.
  • While You’re Out
    • Stay With and Look Out for Your Friends: Travel with people you would trust and stay together. These friends can help you spot when the vibe is off and make sure you get home safe.
    • Make and Measure Your Own Drinks: Pour your own drinks so you know exactly what’s in them. This can also help you track your alcohol intake.
    • Alternate Alcoholic Drinks with Non-Alcoholic Ones: Stay hydrated and pace yourself by drinking water, juice, or another non-alcoholic option between alcoholic drinks.
  • Ending the Night Safely
    • Get Home Safely: The night isn’t over until everyone is home safe. Use or be a designated driver, walk with friends, or use a rideshare.  

In Case of Emergency 

  • Make the Call: Medical Amnesty: 
    • Trust Your Gut
      • If you feel someone may be in medical trouble, they probably are. Protect yourself and others by seeking help before help finds you.
    • Know You’re Protected
      • MSU’s Medical Amnesty Policy states that if you seek help for yourself or someone else during a drug‑ or alcohol‑related medical emergency — or if you receive medical attention as a result of another Spartan calling for help — you will not face disciplinary action for violating MSU’s drug or alcohol use or possession policies.
    • Call For Help
      • If you need to call for help, call 911 if you can; text if you can’t. Stay with the person you are helping until help arrives. 

Medical emergencies include, but are not limited to alcohol poisoning/overdose, drug overdose, and physical injuries that resulted from substance use. 

  • Confusion or stupor
  • Vomiting while passed out, not waking up after vomiting, or incoherence while vomiting
  • Seizures
  • Breathing is slow (fewer than 8 breaths per minute) or irregular, with 10 seconds or more between breaths
  • Weak pulse, very rapid pulse, or very slow pulse
  • Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin
  • Loss of consciousness: Inability to awaken a person with loud shouting, or inability of a person to remain awake for more than 2-3 minutes or to carry on a coherent conversation when awake (semi-conscious)
  • A person who has lost consciousness and cannot be awakened is in danger of dying. Help is needed immediately. 

Narcan is an easy-to-use, lifesaving medication to reverse opioid overdoses. Visit the MSU Union to find free Narcan in our Health Vending Machine.  

Spartan Awareness, Safety, and Engagement  

SASE is an interdisciplinary team that meets monthly to strategize ways to reduce harm from alcohol and other drugs, especially related to celebratory events, while fostering a safe, supportive, and healthy environment for all members of our campus and community.

  • Collegiate Recovery Community
    • CRC offers support services to students who are in or seeking recovery from substance use disorder, as well as allies. The CRC and its services are designed to empower students to thrive in the fullness of the college experience, free from alcohol and other drugs. Visit the CRC’s webpage to learn more.
  • Alcohol and Other Drugs Program
    • The AOD program is committed to reducing the negative impact associated with substance use, while cultivating an environment in which MSU students, faculty, and staff can flourish personally, academically, and professionally. Visit the AOD program’s webpage to learn more.
  • Counseling and Psychiatric Services
    • CAPS provides comprehensive mental health support to students through both counseling and psychiatric care. In addition to clinical services, we offer referral coordination, consultation, and guidance for students. Visit CAPS’ webpage to learn more.
  • “We Polled And” Campaign