Don’t eyeball it

Scales can be purchased in most smoke shops in the city and can be used to measure out doses. Some benzos and psychedelics are effective at less than 10–15mg, which most scales cannot measure accurately. To safely use these, look into volumetric liquid dosing.

Be very careful about mixing drugs

Opioids and benzos don’t mix. Neither do psychedelics and stimulants or cannabis. Alcohol combines very dangerously with many drugs. Do your research before thinking about mixing drugs.

Always start with a low dose when you try a drug for the first time

See how it affects you, and work your way up from there.

Test for allergies when trying a drug you’ve never done before, or when you receive a new batch of a substance

Take a small amount (one tenth to one sixth of a regular dose) and wait several hours to verify that your body will not have an unexpected reaction.

Drugs will not affect you the same way they affect others

Everything from bodyweight to the amount of food in your stomach can change how a drug hits you. Be aware of how long and strong a high is expected to be, but remember to give yourself extra time, just in case.

When taking drugs orally, expect to wait to feel effects

Once you’ve taken one dose of an edible drug, don’t take any more, even if you aren’t feeling anything. Wait it out, and only consider taking more once you feel the full effects.

Don’t bother with study drugs

If you’re going to spend money on drugs, use them to have fun, not write papers. It’s hard to make doing drugs seem boring, but study drugs manage it. If you do use study drugs, don’t forget that they are still drugs and still need to be used with safety in mind.

Don’t be afraid to seek help

On campus, AMS Peer Support is a new service incorporating the previous AMS Vice program. AMS Peer Support provides support, education and can help you access options on and off campus.

Note: We here at The Ubyssey aren’t medical experts so take these tips as an introduction to the wide world of harm reduction in personal drug use. Whether or not you’re a person who uses drugs, there’s plenty of resources to help you understand their effects and safer consumption methods, like the Harm Reduction Coalition, the BC First Nations Health Authority and the BC Centre for Disease Control.