UCSB Life of the Party peer educators encourage students to “Just call 911”
ISLA VISTA, Calif. --University of California Santa Barbara's Alcohol and Drug Program has a student run group called Life of the Party that is working to save lives.
Life of the Party isn't new, but due to the pandemic it is expanding its message. Peer educators don't want students to think hospitals busy with COVID19 are too busy for them.
COVID19 cases in Isla Vista are one the rise. They say students enrolled in the winter quarter are still gathering causes cases to spread.
Peer educator Natalie Herriot said, "We are 3 weeks into the third quarter." and
The third year students said 73 cases over the 3-day holiday weekend.
They estimate there are about 40 new cases a day.
While they urge students not to gather they don't want people who drink or do drugs to hesitate to call 911.
They are working on a "Just call 911" campaign. The campaign's goal is encourage students to always call 911 if they suspect alcohol poisoning or a drug overdose.
"WE ARE THREE WEEKS INTO THIRT QUARTER AND RISE OF COVID CASES 73 JUST OVER THE WEEKEND AND THS WEEK SO ITS EXR IMPORANT THAT WE STAY SAFE
{NAT:CARS?}
FLASHING SIGNS IN ISLA VISTA ALSO REMIND EVERYONE TO AVOID GROUPS.
"LIFE OF THE PARTY" PEER EDUCATORS FROM UCSB'S ALCOHOL AND DRUG PROGRAM ARE ALSO WORRIED STUDENTS STRUGGLING DURING THE PANDEMIC MAY ALSO OVER DO IT WHILE PARTYING
THAT'S WHY THEY ARE WORKING ON A NEW CAMPAIGN.
{SOT 19:14:13-27} ITS CALLED "JUST CALL 911" BASICALLY WE ARE EMPASHING IF YOU ARE AT A PARTY OR IN A DANGEROUS SITUAITION JUST CALL 911 REGARLDESS."
THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT --RESPONSIBLE ACTION PROTOCAL--ENSURES YOU WONT GET IN TROUBLE IF YOU OR YOUR FRINEDS " JUST CALL 911"
Peer educator Grace Lemersal said, "Even though ICU beds are really full right now and hospitals are dealing with COVID, if you are in a dangerous situation in terms of alcohol or drug overdose still call 911."
The third year student said the Life of The Party isn't about abstinence, it's about being safe and saving lives.
Without medical attention substance abuse can turn deadly.
Students feeling isolated without in-person classes need to know that it is okay to call for help.
Under the Student Code of Conduct's Responsible Action Protocol a student won't get in trouble if they call 911 to help themselves or someone else.
The campaign also wants students to know they can get and carry Naloxone to block the effects of opioids or reverse an overdose.
Students may also get tested for COVID on campus for free.
For more information visit: ucsblotp.org and adp.sa.ucsb.edu
