As part of the eighth annual Live Free Weekend, the CU Boulder community is being invited to take a pledge to forego alcohol and drug use for 96 hours from Sept. 22-26. Starting at noon on Thursday, Sept. 22 and lasting until noon on Monday, Sept. 26, Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS), along with a number of other campus organizations, will encourage the campus community to live free from substance use and share the experience of the Live Free Weekend.
The community event begins with a kick-off lunch on Thursday, Sept. 22, in the UMC Fountain Area. Students, staff, and faculty taking the pledge will receive a free lunch and have the opportunity to meet others who are participating in the Live Free Weekend. There are several free events scheduled throughout the weekend for those taking the pledge, including: movies, yoga classes, tango dancing, fitness training, a community volunteer project, bowling and game night, a special planetarium show, and others. For a list of events click here.
“The Live Free Weekend gives the university community a chance to step back and consider what can otherwise go unchecked," said Matthew Tomatz, counselor and substance abuse program coordinator with CAPS. "It says a lot that so many students chose to take the pledge, assess their use of drugs and alcohol, and discover new ways of getting involved at CU.”
Participants can accept the challenge of no drinking and no recreational drug use for 96 hours, or they can participate by signing the binge-free agreement; electing not to binge drink while abstaining from recreational drug use. Additionally, many students participate to affirm a choice to live a sober lifestyle. For more information and to sign the pledge click here.
“This is a very exciting year, many student groups and university departments are getting involved, and there is a lot of positive energy about the Live Free Weekend,” Tomatz said. "I think it’s wonderful that the university community is joining together to promote connection among students, healthy attitudes, and a positive and exciting Live Free Weekend. This event is also important because it recognizes those who live a sober lifestyle – a group that CU is working hard to support," said Tomatz.
The Live Free Weekend is part of a comprehensive initiative intended to address drug and alcohol use within the campus community. There are many resources available to support students who would like to seek help with issues of substance abuse. For a complete list of campus resources, click here.
