Party Smart

While it may seem like partying is the norm, it’s also important to remember that not everyone parties or drinks at CU. Here are some things students say they wish they would’ve known about partying and drinking.

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Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the most commonly used substances. Learn how to keep yourself and your friends safe while drinking.

Information about alcohol use

Photo of an open prescription pill bottle surrounded by round white pills.

Xylazine

Xylazine has been found in contaminated drugs and counterfeit prescriptions. Learn how to stay safer and help prevent accidental overdoses.

Learn more about xylazine

Fentanyl

Colorado has seen an increase in fentanyl overdoses. Learn how to stay safer and help prevent accidental overdoses.

Information about fentanyl

Marijuana

While marijuana is legal in Colorado, it's important to know how to stay safe. Learn how to different products can affect you and ways to reduce unwanted experiences.

Information about marijuana

Study drugs

Study drugs are stimulants that are used without a prescription. Learn how to stay safe while and improve your studying habits.

Information about study drugs

Vaping

Vaping has increased in popularity over recent years. Learn how to use vape products safely and reduce the chances of unwanted side effects.

Information about vaping

Tobacco

Tobacco has been linked to a variety of health concerns. Learn how tobacco may be impacting your health and how to quit.

Information on tobacco products

How to Respond in an Emergency

Overuse and abuse of alcohol and other drugs can be life-threatening and require immediate action. Here’s how to recognize and respond to different alcohol and other drug-related emergencies.

Alcohol

Know the signs of alcohol poisoning:

Passed out and unresponsive
Fewer than 12 breaths per minute
Vomiting while passed out
Pale/bluish or clammy/cool skin
Uncontrolled peeing and pooping

How to respond:

Make sure the person is in a safe place.
Gently turn them on their side to put them in the recovery position.
Stay with them; never leave an intoxicated person alone or with someone who isn’t a trusted friend.

Opioid overdose

Know the signs of an overdose:

Pinpoint (small) pupils
Shallow or no breathing
Blue or grayish lips/fingernails
No response to stimuli (i.e. being pinched)
Gurgling, heavy wheezing or snoring sound

How to respond:

Make sure the person is in a safe place.
Gently turn them on their side to put them in the recovery position.
Stay with them; never leave an intoxicated person alone or with someone who isn’t a trusted friend.
Administer naloxone/Narcan (it won’t harm a person who isn’t overdosing, so if in doubt, use it).

Medical Services provides Naloxone (brand name Narcan) free of charge to Buff OneCard holders through the Apothecary Pharmacy at Wardenburg Health Center. You can also find Naloxone at other locations around Boulder.

Amnesty policy

Calling for help in an alcohol- or drug-related emergency means neither the person who calls nor the person who needs help will be subject to formal disciplinary sanctions by the university (i.e. suspension, probation, expulsion).

To be covered by the amnesty policy, a student must:

Call for help (911 or university staff).
Stay until help arrives.
Cooperate with staff and emergency responders.

Learn more about the amnesty policy

911 Good Samaritan Law

The 911 Good Samaritan Law states that a person is immune from criminal prosecution for an offense when the person reports, in good faith, an emergency drug or alcohol overdose even to a law enforcement officer, to the 911 system, or to a medical provider.

This same immunity applies to persons who remain at the scene of the event until a law enforcement officer or an emergency medical responder arrives, or if the person remains at the facilities of the medical provider until a law enforcement officer, emergency medical responder, or medical provider arrives. The immunity described above also extends to the person who suffered the emergency drug or alcohol overdose event.

Learn more about the 911 Good Samaritan Law

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Party Smart

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Alcohol

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How to Respond in an Emergency

Alcohol

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Amnesty policy

911 Good Samaritan Law