Drugs and alcohol can be a fun part of life. Drugs and alcohol can also be destructive.
As individuals, we have a multitude of perspectives on how drugs and alcohol have
played out for us. Some of us are actively using any number of substances. Others of
us are in recovery. Still, others of us are straight edge and have never used drugs or
drank alcohol. All these approaches to substances bring wisdom, shape understanding,
and have an impact on our lives. This gathering offers zero judgment on how anyone
chooses to engage with drugs and alcohol.
YRUU was where many of us were introduced to drugs and alcohol for the first time.
Some of us are angry about that and frustrated about the impact this introduction has
had on our lives. Others of us have been beautifully transformed by the substances we
discovered as teenagers. Many substances saved some of us as we navigated the
hardest times in life. Unitarian Universalism does not offer directive on how to use drugs
and alcohol. What our faith does teach us is that our bodies are sacred, and we are
responsible, not just as individuals, but as a community, to care for these bodies of
ours.
During this gathering we are not restricting the use of drugs or alcohol. We want all to
participate in the fulness of who they are. We do expect, however, that no one will allow
the substances they consume to negatively impact the community. Any drugs or alcohol
you bring can be consumed by you, and you alone. At no point should anyone be visibly
intoxicated during the event. You will not offer any substance you bring to another
person. You will not consume the substances you bring in front of anyone who does not
consent to be around the substance. You will ask anyone you are around before you
use. If anyone objects, you will either move from the space you are in or simply not
consume the substance you were planning to consume.
Keep in mind that substance use can take away from community. Be very aware of how
the drugs or alcohol you use create inclusivity or exclusivity. We will not stigmatize
active users. We simply ask that everyone be mindful and respectful. While we will be in
a private area, and cannabis as well as alcohol are legal, we are not treating
criminalized and legal substance any different from one another (though we are not
trying to regulate anyone’s medication, coffee drinking, sugar intake, phone use, etc.).
We will also have an area for smoking cigarettes (not unlike the smoker section in
YRUU days).
There will be a sober space specifically set aside. No one in this space will be high or
drunk. Even if you are not a sober person, you are welcome in this space, so long as
you are not using at that moment. It is important that sober spaces are respected for
those who are challed to even be in the same space as substances they may struggle
with.
Any questions about this drug/alcohol policy can be directed to planners.
