ru-ok? advice - staying safer at festivals

Read our advice for staying safe at festivals, including the basics, and information about alcohol and drug use.

Things to remember:

  • you don’t need alcohol or drugs to have fun at Pride or a festival - these events are about enjoying who you are and being around good friends you trust
  • most people under 18 do not drink or take drugs and there are particular risks for young people who do this
  • being in possession of drugs is illegal, including at Pride or festivals - you could get arrested
  • festivals are bad places to try something new for the first time - they’re crowded and noisy and could easily make you or your friends react badly, or spin you out

The basics

look after your friends - make sure they know where you are at all times and if you plan to go off with someone, tell a friend where you're going and who you're going with

arrange a meeting point for you and your friends in case you get split up

make sure your phone has battery, and take a power bank if you have one

wear a hat and use sunscreen - sunburn sucks!

carry condoms - most people don’t have sex until they are 16 or over, but carrying condoms is a good idea, so you can easily use one if you choose to have sex

don’t feel pressured into doing anything you wouldn’t do normally

Alcohol

When drinking, make sure you:

  • have a good supply of water with you, and drink it in between alcoholic drinks
  • drink lower percentage alcohol, especially if drinking all day
  • keep an eye on your friends, and make sure they know where you are at all times
  • don’t accept drinks from strangers, as spiking can be a risk at festivals
  • don't feel pressured into doing anything you wouldn’t do when sober

Drugs

If you're using drugs:

  • don’t mix - mixing leads more easily to overdose and illness
  • if snorting, use your own straw or paper - don’t use anything shared, including a banknote, as you are at risk of getting Hepatitis B
  • ff you have taken something and it feels too intense or scary, tell a friend and find somewhere safe to chill out
  • drink plenty of water to help your body cope with the drugs - do not drink alcohol with drugs, as this could lead to overdose or illness
  • don’t buy drugs from people you don’t know - it might be cut with something rubbish and/or dangerous
  • don’t try something for the first time at a festival - it could spin you out being in such a busy and noisy environment
Remember that if you do use at Pride or festivals, it is still illegal and the police could still arrest you

Cannabis myths

Most young people don’t use cannabis, but a large number do. Using drugs in public increases the risk of being arrested. There are lots of myths about cannabis and its consequences, which can be confusing. Here’s our myth-busting guide:

Myth 1: Cannabis is harmless

All drugs carry risks. Because young people are still developing, their brains and bodies are more at risk than adults. And if cannabis is smoked with tobacco it’s even more harmful. There is much research indicating that teenage cannabis use leads to short-term, sometimes long-term, mental health problems.

Myth 2: Alcohol is a bigger problem than cannabis

It's true that alcohol is more toxic than cannabis. Locally and nationally many more young people ask services for help with their cannabis use than for any other substance, including alcohol.

Myth 3: The police turn a blind eye to cannabis

This is not true. Young people are regularly stopped, searched, arrested, detained and dealt with for cannabis possession. This has legal consequences, which can include a criminal record, both of which may affect future job opportunities or travel plans.

Myth 4: Cannabis is good for you

There’s evidence that cannabis can help a few specific medical conditions, but it isn’t ‘healthy’. Medicinal cannabis is not normally smoked and never so with tobacco. It is never prescribed at the doses that tend to be consumed recreationally.

What to do if it goes wrong

If someone you are with is sick, try to get them to drink some water and sit down somewhere safe and quiet. If they're really unwell, call someone you trust who can take them home.

If someone passes out, call an ambulance, and put the person in the recovery position, make sure they can breathe by checking their airway is clear - don’t leave them and tell the paramedic what the person has taken (if anything) as this will help them know how to help your friend - you won’t get into trouble for telling the truth

Contact us

For more information on staying safe, you can contact our team:

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