It’s that time of year again: spooooooky season is upon us! If you love Halloween as much as I do, then you know this weekend is going to be a total scream. Whether you’re going to a party or bingeing scary movies in your dorm or apartment, it’s important to remember how to stay safer around alcohol and other substances. No matter what your Halloween plans are, you should always have some harm reduction strategies you can fall back on. We’ve outlined some tips so you and your friends can stay safe while still having fun this Halloweekend!
Stay With Your Friends
Going out in a group is safer than walking alone, especially at night, so it’s best to stay with your friends. Have your phone charged and everyone’s numbers saved, and stick with the same group for the duration of the night. This way, you can continuously check to make sure everyone is accounted for. Also, make sure to plan a safe way to get home together before going out! It’s always better to call an Uber than get in a car with someone who might have been drinking.
Have a Drinking Plan
Halloween weekend might mean more partying—studies show that some college students drink alcohol more than usual during the celebrations. If you’re heading out and choosing to drink, make a game plan with your friends: set your limits, eat before you go and alternate alcoholic drinks with water. Avoid mystery mixes and keep an eye out for each other so the night stays fun—not scary!
Other Harm Reduction Strategies
In addition to staying in a group and making a drinking plan, make sure you establish clear boundaries before a night out and always feel empowered to say no—whether that’s to drinking, hooking up or just going to a party. If you notice coercion and peer pressure, be sure to tell your friends and only partake in activities that you are excited about.
Recognize Warning Signs of Alcohol Poisoning: Notice C.U.P.S.?
Knowing alcohol poisoning signs is incredibly important to be prepared for any emergency. An easy way to remember the warnings of alcohol poisoning is the acronym C.U.P.S. If you see someone showing any of these signs of alcohol poisoning, call for help at 911 or 315.443.2224.
C: Cold Skin
Yes, Syracuse winters are brutal—but if you’re out partying and you notice someone else has extra cold skin, that’s not just the weather. Alcohol tricks your body into thinking it’s warm, while your core temperature is actually dropping. If your friend’s skin starts feeling cold or clammy and is looking pale and blue, it could be a warning sign of alcohol poisoning.
U: Unconscious/Unresponsive
The “U” in the alcohol poisoning acronym may stand for “unconscious,” which is a symptom of alcohol poisoning that speaks for itself, but it can also mean being unresponsive. If your friend’s eyes are open but they’re giving major zombie energy—no reaction, blank stare—that’s not just spooky-season behavior. You don’t need to shake them like a maraca, but if they’re looking straight through you like you’re invisible when you’re trying to get their attention, it’s time to get help.
P: Puking
Puking is your body’s last-ditch effort to kick the alcohol out of your system before things get dangerous. If someone’s throwing up nonstop and can’t control it, that’s a big red flag for alcohol poisoning. Even scarier? Too much alcohol can shut down your gag reflex, meaning you could choke on your own vomit. Also, be aware that sometimes vomiting can be silent if a person is unresponsive or unconscious, so don’t overlook signs when your friends might look like they’re “sleeping it off.”
S: Slow Breathing
Alcohol doesn’t just mess with your balance—it can slow down your breathing, too. If someone’s taking weirdly slow or uneven breaths (like one breath every five seconds or more), that’s not normal party fatigue. Their brain and organs might not be getting enough oxygen, which can be seriously dangerous. When in doubt, don’t wait it out—call for help!
If You Notice C.U.P.S., Take C.A.R.E.!
If someone’s showing signs of alcohol poisoning, whether that’s a friend, classmate or random partygoer, don’t panic, just C.A.R.E.: your go-to checklist for what to do next and how to get help fast. It’s easy to remember and could make all the difference!
C: Call for Help Right Away
If someone might have alcohol poisoning, don’t wait—get help fast. Call 911 anywhere in the U.S., or if you’re on campus, contact Syracuse University Ambulance at 315.443.4299 or the University’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) at 315.443.2224. You can also use the Orange Safe app or hit a Blue Light nearby. Help is always just a call (or tap) away!
A: Angle the Person on Their Side
If someone’s passed out or barely conscious, roll them onto their side. This keeps their airway clear and helps prevent choking—because no one wants a party to turn into a medical emergency.
R: Remain With the Person Until Help Arrives
Stay by their side until help gets there. Keep an eye on how they’re doing and watch for any changes.
E: Empowered by the University’s Medical Amnesty Policy
Thanks to the University’s Medical Amnesty Policy, students who call for help or receive it can do the right thing without worrying about getting in trouble. Safety comes first—there’ll be no judgment, and cooperating students are often not referred for a disciplinary process with Community Standards.
Now that you know how to stay safer around substances, you can keep these tips in your back pocket throughout Halloweekend and beyond. To learn more about alcohol safety and harm reduction strategies, explore the Barnes Center at The Arch’s website, reach out to the Barnes Center Health Promotion team or stop by one of the Barnes Center’s Alcohol and Cannabis Safety Health Hubs, either before or after your Halloween festivities. Finally, if you see any suspicious behavior, call DPS at 315.443.2224 to report it. Always remember to be safe, and have a fang-tastic night!
Written By Kate Jackson ’26, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs