For first time students, the college experience is one of the first times where they are navigating the world as an adult. With that in mind, the Sandler Center at the University of Miami encourages students to make smart decisions as they begin to explore new found independence in their life. The Sandler Center strives to promote safety and prevention in the everyday life of the university’s student body. The most unique approach from the Sandler Center is peer-led education. Students who work at the Sandler Center work together to craft educational activities that students can engage and relate with. They highlight potential risks, prevention tips, and steps to take action on drug and alcohol awareness. Overall, the students’ main focus is on adapting to the student body and what is relevant to them.
Miami, Florida is one of the largest travel destinations in the country, attracting millions of young beach-goers for things like spring break and the Ultra Music Festival. The Sandler Center acts as a resource during these events for students who may have never navigated massive crowds on their own. This weekend is Ultra Music Festival, one of the world's largest electronic dance music festivals. Students who enjoy live music look forward to this event every year, but there are a lot of unknowns when entering an event as large as Ultra. The Sandler Center team has spent the whole week leading up to the festival helping students be aware of certain risks they could encounter. They have given out safety kits, which contain testing strips for fentanyl, Night Cap drink covers, and Narcan. Students can pick up these kits anonymously at the Sandler Center anytime they are open. They also have given out water, Liquid IV, and other preventative tools for students on their way to Ultra from the University metro stop the Friday of the festival.
Along with Ultra safety events, the Sandler Center has many times a year where students can access resources and learn more about drug and alcohol prevention. October is National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Month (NCAAM), a nationally recognized time where university programs focus on safe alcohol practices and what to do in the case of emergency. Student peer educators and other employees at the center work together to engage students in safe practices when partying or engaging in social events. Abi Schcolnik, a senior who has worked as a peer educator for three years at the Sandler Center, reflects on her time as an educator and mentor for her fellow students. “One of my favorite events while working as a Peer Educator was during NCAAM, the theme for the month was all types of art and we hosted an event where students could tie dye white t-shirts while learning the dangers of mixing drugs and alcohol. It was a chance to spread important information while doing something fun,” stated Schcolnik.
Whether you are headed to Ultra this weekend or not, the Sandler Center is open for any resources you may need. If you haven’t checked out the Sandler Center’s events this semester, head over to their Instagram @umsandlercenter to learn more about what they have coming up for the rest of the semester. To review the letter sent to students from Dr. Whitley, please click here. If you are interested in an alternative event for this weekend, check out Canes Night Live Mega Nostalgia, a collaboration between CNL and Daytime Programming. The 2000s music themed event will take place Friday, Mar 28 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the Foote Green with free food, raffles, and giveaways.
