Night-time Safety Campaigns

Sip Smart, Stay Safe

Nights out are a big part of student life and your Student Union prides itself in having the safest late night venue in Winchester. We want to help keep you as safe as possible whilst drinking so you can have most the most fun!

Before you go out, there are a few things that you should think about to make the most out of your nights out and to stay safe.

Top Tips to keep you and your friends safe whilst drinking:

• Eat a full meal before drinking – Eating a meal with lots of carbohydrates like pasta, bread and potatoes is ideal. This will help the alcohol absorb into your blood stream more slowly and mean you can drink all night before becoming dizzy or sick.
• Alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks or water – Friends can pressure us into thinking this is ‘cheating’ but doing this will help avoid getting too drunk. This ‘macho’ pressured drinking culture is not healthy, stand up for yourself and other friends by calling it out. Lots of water will also help to stop you from feeling dehydrated and hungover the next day. Always get a big glass of water before you go to sleep
• If you’re starting early, try to stick to lower-strength alcohol drinks and drink plenty of non-alcoholic drinks to avoid peaking early!
• Don’t drink on your own. Instead, drink with people that you trust. You can keep an eye on your mates, and they can keep an eye on you. If anyone injures themselves or gets into trouble, you’ll be able to get help.
• Consider how you’re feeling before you start drinking and if you are feeling angry or sad, rethink drinking. It will likely make these feelings worse or could mean you make regrettable decisions later in the evening. Surround yourself with your most trusted friends if you’re feeling this way.
• If this is your first-time drinking, do not often drink or haven’t drunk in a while, you’ll have a lower tolerance. You may notice that you need less alcohol to feel the same way you would have done before. Pace yourself and avoid mixing drinks.
• To reduce this risk of drink spiking, never leave drinks unattended and don’t accept a drink from someone you don’t know. If you think your drink’s been spiked, tell someone straight away.

Spiking – some quick facts

Watch out for spiking when your out drinking or at pre-drinks. Most people are going to be trustworthy, but remember, when you first start University or join a new group, you’re surrounded by lots of people you don’t know very well.

Putting extra alcohol in someone's drinking is spiking – this is the most common form of spiking. It may seem like harmless fun but not only could it ruin their night and yours, it could result in criminal charges and carries a maximum TEN year prison sentence. Even if someone asks for a single and you think you’ll get them a double, don’t do it. They will feel drunk quicker than they expect and may think someone has maliciously spiked their drink.

Date rape drugs such as GHB and Rohypnol are very rare but are also depressants with similar symptoms to drinking alcohol. They may make you pass out or become more vulnerable to theft or sexual assault. They take effect very quickly (within 15-30 minutes) and last several hours. So, if you’re feeling vulnerable, tell someone you trust and stay somewhere safe for at least the next 30 minutes, but probably the next few hours. If you don’t become unconscious in this time, it’s unlikely to have been a date rape drug.

(These drugs are colourless, odorless and tasteless. So it is very unlikely you’ll know it’s in your drink.

To find out more and to see what we do to combat spiking in our venues please click here

Before heading out:

There are a few things you should do to make sure you have a good night

• Make sure you've charged your phone before you leave.
• If you plan on carrying cash, go to the cash-point during the day and avoid using them at night.
• Put your keys, ID and other valuables somewhere you won't lose them.
• Don't keep your wallet in your back pocket.

If you've brought a bag don't leave it unattended when you're out, if you are popping to the toilet make sure you take it with you! 

Getting Home Safe:

• Don't walk alone, if you have to walk home along call and chat to a friend or family member.
• Stick to open, well-lit areas and walk with purpose.
• Walk on the oncoming traffic side of the pavement so you're fully aware if a car stops near you.
• Carry a personal safety alarm for emergencies (these can be collected for free at the SU Offices – Level 3 of The King Alfred Centre)

If you think you're being followed, cross the road and see if you're still followed. Try and stop at a busy area like a petrol station, pub or takeaway, and phone the police.

We recommend getting a taxi home from a reputable company if you’re walking anything but a short distance and especially if you’re travelling alone. Here are a few recommended companies:

Wintax - 01962 250250 

Wessex Cars - 01962 277749 

Do not get in an unmarked taxi - always make sure that they are licensed and a legitimate company.

However you’re travelling, if your going home alone, agree with a friend to message each other once you get back so you know each other are safe.

Reporting a crime:

If you become a victim of crime, report to the Police or University Security immediately.

• Off campus call 999
• To contact Security – 0192 827666
• Nonurgent reports can be made to any police station or by calling 101
• You can also use the University Report + Support platform

 

Look After Your Mate

If you are on a night out and someone you’re with seems too drunk, DO NOT leave them alone or bring them to the club, the likelihood is they will not get let in and you want to avoid having someone in a vulnerable position.

If someone you are with does appear too drunk (maybe they’re talking loudly, slurring their words, or become unstable on their feet) it is time for you to step in. We reserve the right to refuse you with your friend in order to get them home safe.

Step One: Make them aware that they are drunk:
Once you have noticed that your friend is too drunk, the key is not to make them feel embarrassed. Instead, pull them aside and suggest they stop drinking for the rest of the night, you can show them that you’re both having a good time, so why ruin it by drinking anymore? If they aren’t keen to call it a night, suggest switching to soft drinks, having some water or food, and even just slowing down their alcohol intake.  

Step Two: Get them home safely:

Do not bring them to the club under the premise of ‘once they’re there, they aren’t your problem’, you have a responsibility to look out for someone who is too intoxicated (you would want someone to do the same for you).

Do not let someone go off on their own. Stick together, if they won’t stop walking, walk with them but let someone know where you are going. Use your judgement to see if food or water will help, eating can help absorb the alcohol in their system but don’t risk it if they are far too drunk. Please note that whilst food and water will help them sober up, if someone appears too drunk at our Venues, this will not be enough to sober them up to allow them in later in the night.

What is the best way to get a drunk person home?

Some fresh air and movement can help to sober someone up but consider if walking home is the safest option, especially if you have been drinking too. It may be best to call a taxi but keep the window open to get in some fresh air.

Step Three: Let someone know they are intoxicated or stay with them:

After you have got them home, do not leave them by themselves. If they are living at home, sharing a house or flat, let someone in the building know. They might not be happy to be awoken but you are doing it for the individuals welfare. If the drunk person lives alone, consider staying with them. If they need to be put to bed, put them in the recovery position, if they are sick, they will not choke.

Whilst drinking can be fun, it can also cause unpleasant side effects that you should be aware of!

Drinking alcohol can also cause unpleasant side effects, such as:

• Slurred speech, drowsiness, and vomiting
• Blackouts and memory loss
• Depression (Alcohol is a depressant so the more you drink, the more likely you are to feel negative emotions)
• Poor sleep, which can impact your wellbeing.
• Dehydration (This can make you feel sick and give you dry and blemished skin)

There are other risks to drinking alcohol:

• If you’ve drunk a lot the night before, your body may still have alcohol in the system. Don't drive the next day to limit the chance of an accident or getting into trouble for drink driving.
• Drinking too much alcohol can lead to alcohol poisoning, which can be very dangerous. Keep an eye on your mates and if you notice any of the following signs, call for an ambulance, irregular or slow breathing, pale/blue skin, passing out, or being unconscious. 
• Drinking for a long time can lead to physical dependency. If someone is dependent on alcohol, it’s important that they don’t suddenly stop drinking as withdrawal from alcohol can be dangerous. If you’re worried about your drinking or somebody else please get in contact with our Advice Centre

Resources:

• Drinkaware - The Drinkaware Trust is an independent UK-wide alcohol education charity
• Talk to Frank - Talk to Frank for facts, support and advice on drugs and alcohol today.
• Mind - List of organisations who offer support for recreational drug and alcohol addiction.  

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SSSS Guide by Winchester Student Union