When you’re out partying, how do you strike the perfect balance between having a blast and ensuring everyone’s safety? In this article, we’ll tackle the crucial pain points that can turn a dream night into a nightmare and provide practical solutions to prevent drink drugging without compromising your fun.
Picture This Scenario
It’s friday, and it’s time for you to plan a night out with friends. By “plan”, this means you all hop into a cab together and pick your place of choice on the fly. You have no plans for how you’re getting home, just plans to have fun and forget your hectic work week. You all agree on a hole in the wall—you’re not even sure if it’s licensed or not! The goal is to not run into anyone you know. But you should also strive to help yourself and your friends avoid drink drugging (spiking, roofying, etc.)
You and your friends are pretty outgoing, especially after a couple of drinks. And before you know it, you’re surrounded by people you don’t know. You’re in your happy place and all you want to do is dance.
The bouncers won’t let you bring your drink on the dance floor, so you leave it on the ledge to be there for when you’re thirsty. Everything is perfect, you’re dancing the night away, surrounded by old and new friends, pounding music, and unlimited drinks…hello, dream night!
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
There are precautions you should take during a night out. Things can quickly spiral out of control if you don’t plan accordingly, and stay aware of your surroundings. Sexual assault, robbery, and worse can happen when you let your guard down. So, let me break this down the issues in the scenario above…
- There’s no plan in place for how you will get home.
- Your friends chose a place that may not be licensed to party at.
- You let too many people into your inner circle that you don’t know.
- You left your drink unattended.
- And worse, you plan to go back to your drink after it’s been left unattended!
What Should You do Instead to Prevent Drink Drugging?
- Talk about your plans with your friends while sober, decide where you are going, and how you will all get home.
- Always pick a bar or pub that is licensed. Licensed establishments must have precautions in place to keep you safe and to help prevent drink drugging.
- Keep an eye on your belongings to prevent purse snatching and robberies.
- Try your best to stick to who you know. We realize this can be difficult. But at the very least, never go off with someone you don’t know.
- Never leave your drink unattended and if you must, never, ever go back to drink it! Drugs that are used to spike drinks are flavorless, colorless, and are non-detectable.
- Go home together, no person is left behind!
And if you’re wondering how to spot shady behavior before it becomes a problem, check out our guide on Predator Warning Signs: 5 Red Flags You Need to Know. It breaks down subtle behaviors and manipulative tactics predators use—especially in party or bar settings—so you can stay ahead and stay safe.
You Can Have Fun and Be Safe!
In all cases of partying gone wrong, in hindsight, people would’ve done something differently. The little choices we make on a night out can have a big impact on our lives. So next time you go out, be the “mother hen” of your group and keep these rules in mind! You can still have a blast without compromising your safety!
Be aware, and stay safe!
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