A Message from Counseling Services
Halloween is fast approaching. This day is popular among children and adults. Some children in United States will participate in fun events like pumpkin carving and trick-or-treat. They will wear Halloween costumes and go out trick or treating. As adults, some of you will also dress up for Halloween – maybe as a Zombie, Wonder Woman, Mr. Incredible, Michael Jackson, RuPaul, Beyoncé – but most likely you will not be going door- to-door asking for treats; instead, you will probably be headed to a party, a friend’s home or a bar where there will be lots of music, laughter, and drinking. Did you know that in the United States, Halloween has become a major drinking holiday for adults, and social drinking can result in excessive drinking that leads to negative consequences? Well that’s a fact, so counseling staff, who care about your safety and well-being, identified 10 tips for you to consider before heading out to celebrate Halloween.
- For the safety of yourself and others, don’t wear a costume that includes anything that could be confused with a real weapon. Don’t wear anything that could be taken as impersonating a police officer. Wear a costume that feels comfortable to you.
- If drinking, go easy on the drinks. It’s important to be alert and respectful of others. If you plan to drink, make sure that you have a designated driver or money for a cab. Excessive drinking can lead to negative consequences – sickness, black out, arrests, regret.
- If you and your buddies go to a party, set the rules before you get there, such as, (1) We won’t leave each other at the party. (2) We will watch out for each other and make sure we stay safe and don’t hurt others. (3) We will go easy on the drinking. (4) We won’t leave the party (go to a room, outside, bathroom, etc.) without letting a friend know what’s going on. (5) We will follow these rules. We just want to have fun and get home safe.
- While at the party, if you see someone drunk, do not attempt to have sexual contact or sex with the person. A person who is drunk cannot consent to sexual contact or intercourse. It is a crime to have sex with a person who is drunk.
- If you are unable to go to the party and/or leave the party with friends, let a friend know when you are coming to the party and/or leaving the party, and send a text when you get to your destination.
- If you have a cell phone, make sure it’s charged and carry your cell phone on you at all times. Put an emergency number in your cell phone such as a friend, roommate or family member.
- If you are having a party at your apartment or house, know who is at your house and/or staying at your place. If you are going to someone else’s house, respect their rules, property, and requests.
- If of legal drinking age, don’t leave your drink unattended, and never accept a drink from someone you don’t know. Don’t drink out of the punch bowl or an open container at the party, the punch or liquid could be spiked with drugs. Don’t spike other people’s drinks. Spiking drinks for the purpose of sexual contact is a first degree felony.
- If you find yourself at a party where you don’t know a lot of people or the crowd seems sketchy, it’s okay to grab your friends and leave. Call it a night or go to a party with more of your friends and people you know.
- If visiting a school you are unfamiliar with, know your surroundings. Know where you are located on the campus and where the campus security office can be found.
Enjoy celebrating Halloween. Just make sure you do so safely; and with respect for others.
For more information about Counseling Services and resources go to: www.shoreline.edu/counseling-services or stop by the FOSS Building, Room 5229
References
Help blog: http://ihelploan.com/blog/2014/10/07/halloween-in-college-safety/
State University.com: http://www.stateuniversity.com/blog/permalink/12-Halloween-Safety-Tips-for-Students.html
Chicago Tribune: http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/travel/sns-travel-drinking-holidays-pictures-photogallery.html
Students Health and Safety Matter – Halloween Tips (2015). Written by Dr. Yvonne L. Terrell-Powell, Associate Dean of Equity, Engagement and Counseling
