Whether you’ve having a chill one by the beach or going full tilt at a festival, we’ve pulled together our best non-judgmental drug info and advice to help you keep summer sizzling.
Get your gear checked.
Drug checking is a free, legal and confidential way to find out what’s in your drugs.
Drug checking staff use a scientific machine called a spectrometer to see what’s actually in that baggie. It only takes about ten minutes and there are drug checking stations across the country, and at many festivals this summer. Knowing what you’re taking means it’s easier to make choices like how much to take and when you’ll take it.
Use our calendar to find drug checking near you.
Stay in the know.
Know what to expect from the drugs you’re planning to take, danger signs and dosage to avoid a bad time.
Our drug info pages are a good place to start. They’ve got everything you need to know about most of the drugs you’ll find going round.
Strip for free.
We pay for the postage and they come to you in a plain, unmarked envelope. Here's how to use test strips to check your drugs for fentanyl and nitazenes at home.
Start slow and take breaks.
Take a low dose to start and wait to feel the effects before taking more.
If you’re planning a big summer, give your brain and body a chance to recover by taking breaks from drugs and alcohol.
Leave the mixing to the DJ.
Some drugs can mix in your body and give you weird effects, or worse.
Try not to mix drugs, and keep in mind that some medicines like antidepressants can be risky when mixed with other drugs.
Look out for your mates.
Having a friend with you if you’re taking drugs means there’s someone who can get help if needed.
Keep an eye out for how your mates are doing throughout the night (and the whole summer), and make sure everyone has a way to get home safe.
Comedown cozy.
Drugs can make you feel a bit worse for wear the next day, and if you’ve been taking drugs for a few days in a row, the comedown can hit harder.
Make sure you give yourself time to rest and recover before getting back out there. Staying hydrated, eating some kai and doing some movement can help you start to feel better.
Need more support?
If you feel like alcohol and drugs are impacting your summer too much, it could be time to get some extra support.
The Alcohol Drug Helpline is a good place to start. Call them on 0800 787 797, text 8681 or head to alcoholdrughelp.org.nz to chat online.
If it’s an emergency, call 111 straight away. You won’t get in trouble if you tell them you’ve used drugs.
If you just want help to reflect on your drug use, you can order our free reflection notebook from our resources page.
Related stories
Stay up to date with The Level
Sign up to our newsletter
Recent stories
Blue meanies and gold tops: Shroom safety tips from an ecologist
It's getting dark early, the days are getting colder, and it’s been raining. If all that rain has you thinking about foraging for magic mushrooms, the first thing we’d tell you is don’t go it alone – find someone who can help identify your shrooms.
New psilocybin 'shroom research
We spoke to psilocybin harm reduction researcher Sam Lasham about his new study and what he's learning about magic mushrooms.
Know your nangs
Nitrous oxide (aka NOS or nangs) has some risks, like nerve damage or freeze burns. Here's how to stay safer if you're using NOS.