- Home
- Health Services
- Health Happenings
- Party Drugs and Substance Use
Party Drugs and Substance Use
The Dangers of Party Drugs
Just one toke, one hit, or one snort could be your last. Party drugs can have severe and unexpected side effects, often due to contamination or substituion during creation. These synthetic drugs are favored for their ability to enhance social interaction, creating feelings or closeness, empathy, and euphoria. However, they come with significant risks.
Reducing Overdose Risk
- Buy from Dispensaries. Purchase marijuana from dispensaries, not friends or street dealers.
- Avoid Unknown Pills. Do not take pills offered to you, especially those purchased on social media.
- Have an Exit Plan. Prepare a strategy for saying no to drugs in high-pressure situations.
- Never Use Alone. If you are going to use, always use with someone who can help in case of an emergency.
- Carry Naloxone (Narcan). Be prepared to reverse an opioid overdose.
- Know Overdose Signs. Recognize the symptoms and act quickly.
- Call 911. If you or a friend show signs of an overdose, do not hesitate to call for help.
- Take it Slow. If you are going to use, use smaller amounts to reduce the risk of overdose.
Common Party Drugs
Bath Salts
What are Bath Salts?
- Synthetic stimulants that mimic the effects of cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA (ecstasy).
- Commonly ingested by sniffing or snorting but can also be taken orally, smoked, or injected.
Cocaine
What is Cocaine?
- Street Names: Coke, Crack, Snow
- An intense, euphoria-producing stimulant with high addictive potential.
Xylazine
What is Xylazine?
- A veterinary anesthetic for horses and cattle.
- Causes severe tissue damage in humans, often leading to amputation.
Xylazine Test Strips
We offer free xylazine testing strips inside Narcan Kits at UHS! Call the front desk at (617) 287-5660 to reserve a free kit.
- Xylazine is often mixed with fentanyl.
- Narcan (naloxone) is ineffective against xylazine, but should still be administered for fentanyl.
Fentanyl
What is Fentanyl?
- A potent synthetic opioid drug used as a pain reliever and anesthetic.
- Potency: 100x more potent than morphine and 50x more potent than heroin.
- Overdose Risk: Responsible for 68% of drug overdoses, and the leading cause of death for individuals aged 18-45.
- Fake Pills: Often found in counterfeit medications resembling OxyContin®, Xanax®, and Adderall®.
- Lethal Dose: As little as 2 milligrams can be fatal.
Fentanyl Test Strips
We offer free fentanyl testing strips inside Narcan Kits at UHS! Call the front desk at (617) 287-5660 to reserve a free kit.
- Can detect the presence of fentanyl in a drug supply but not the amount of presence of other substances.
- Not foolproof; overdose is still possible even if the strip shows no fentanyl.
Medical Emergencies
UMass Boston's Department of Public Safety handles all on-campus emergenices. For immediate assistance, call 911.
Community Resources and Helplines
Resources & Recalls
By staying informed and utilizing available resources, you can better navigate the challenges associated with party drugs and substance use.
Warnings & Recalls
Articles
- "Parents who say their kids died after getting drugs on Snapchat share their stories" | Good Morning America