Where To Get Help: Summer Festivals
After last year's wash-out, this summer's set to be a scorcher. And it's easy to over-do it when gigs and events on offer stretch throughout the day and night. With thousands heading to music festivals across the country, and with 'V' festival on our doorstep EDAAT & FRANK recommends knowing how to look after yourself...
- It's vital to get the facts about drugs rather than relying on hearsay or urban myths. Whether you think you'll take drugs or not, make sure you know the risks: check out www.talktofrank.com or call 0845 603 7634 for information on drug and alcohol services in Essex or FRANK on 0800 77 66 00 - you can ring at anytime and all calls are confidential.
Don't feel under pressure to try anything: Remember you don't know what your getting. It's not a great idea to take drugs in new settings where there are large crowds of people - the drugs are more likely to have a bad effect if you are feeling stressed or disorientated. Remember, drugs are illegal and can be harmful.
- If you do decide to take something:
- Stay with your mates and tell them what you think you've taken.
- Drink-spiking can and does happen. Don't accept alcoholic drinks from people you don't know and don't let your drink out of your sight. Mixing alcohol and drugs will also make the effects of both far more unpredictable.
- Take a water bottle with you, especially when the sun is shining. You can fill it up for free from tap points dotted around festival sites. If you are taking ecstasy or other dance drugs and moving around a lot, you risk overheating and dehydration. You can reduce the risks by sipping no more than a pint of water or non-alcoholic fluid every hour.
- There's a real chance of blackouts, collapse, fainting or fits if you get heat-exhaustion or heat stroke when you're on pills and dancing non-stop.
- If someone on drugs starts to get stressed and panicky, experiencing a bad trip, get them away from the noise and somewhere calmer. At 'V' Chelmsford this would be the Open Road Chill Out Tent. Chat to them, calm them down by making them feel looked after. If they get worse, get help.
- Make sure you know how you are getting home. No-one wants to be left behind because they are too wasted to drive, and drug driving carries the same penalties as drink driving.
For information of drug and alcohol services in Essex click this link or call 0845 603 7634. For confidential advice call FRANK on 0800 77 66 00 or visit www.talktofrank.com
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If you need to speak to someone:
Alcoholics
Anonymous
Talk To Frank
The Samaritans
Families Anonymous
Cocaine Anonymous