GIF of a Wolf coming out of a pipe and jumping up to reveal text that says Wolfie's Reality Check

Wolfie's Reality Check

Welcome to university life! You've probably heard plenty of stories about partying, drinking, and cannabis use on campus, but what's fact and what's fiction? Wolfie's Reality Check uses real student data to bust myths, challenge assumptions, and help you make informed decisions that work for you.

What's Actually the Norm at Lakehead

  • 4 in 10 Lakehead students didn't drink alcohol in the past 30 days.
  • 75% of students choose to use only one substance at a time. 
  • 73% of Thunderwolves used a designated driver to get home from drinking and 9 out of 10 refused to get a ride with someone who had been drinking or using cannabis.

Data from the 2024–2025 Canadian Post-Secondary Alcohol and Drug Use Survey, Lakehead University.

Wolfie's Game Guide for Safer Nights Out

Know Your Limits
  • Understand your tolerance with alcohol, cannabis, and other substances to avoid overconsumption or harmful effects.
  • Start with low doses, especially if you're new to a substance.
  • When drinking, pace yourself with one standard drink per hour, and stay hydrated.
Plan Ahead
  • Before you start using any substance, plan how you’ll get home safely. Arrange for a designated driver, use public transportation, or call a ride-share service.
  • Eating a full meal beforehand can help slow the absorption of alcohol and moderate the effects of other substances.
 Stay Hydrated and Fed
  • Alcohol and many substances can dehydrate you, so keep water handy and drink it regularly. Staying hydrated helps you maintain control and reduces the risk of harm.
  • Consuming food before, during, and after drinking alcohol is essential for controlling intoxication and protecting your body. Eating before prevents rapid alcohol absorption, eating during maintains blood sugar levels, and eating after replenishes lost nutrients and helps your liver process toxins more efficiently.
 Look Out for Friends
  • Keep an eye on your friends and stay together. If someone is having a bad reaction to a substance or has had too much to drink, help them get home safely.
  • Don't let a friend drive if they've been drinking or using cannabis or other drugs. Help them find a safe ride home instead. 
  • If a friend shows signs of overdose, alcohol poisoning, or severe distress, seek medical help immediately.
  • Consider getting a naloxone kit. 
Avoid Mixing Substances
  • Mixing alcohol, cannabis, illicit substances, or prescription drugs can lead to unpredictable and dangerous effects. It's safest to stick to one substance at a time.
Use in a Safe Environment
  • Use substances in a secure and comfortable setting where you feel safe. Avoid using in unfamiliar places or with people you don’t know well.
  • Be aware of your surroundings and ensure you're in a location where you can get help if needed.
Know What You Are Using 
  • Always know what you’re consuming. Pour your own drinks or watch them being made to avoid unintended alcohol consumption or spiking.
  • Purchase cannabis through regulated, legal sources to ensure you’re getting a product that’s safe and accurately labelled.
  • If you choose to use illicit substances or non-prescribed medications, consider testing them for dangerous additives. This can reduce the risk of overdose or adverse reactions
    • Stop by the self-serve station at Thunder Bay's Student Health and Wellness for drug checking kits
Know The Rules and Health Risks

Learn more on the Student Health and Wellness substance use page.

Resources and Support

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, help is available. Reach out if you need assistance—there’s always someone ready to listen.

Wolfie's Reality Check is a Lakehead campus campaign to educate and empower our students by providing them with the knowledge, resources, and support needed to make informed decisions, reduce the risks associated with substance use, and foster a safer, healthier campus environment for everyone. The campaign is a collaborative effort involving Student Health and Wellness, Residence Life the Office of Human Rights and Equity, Campus Security, LUSU, and Student Conduct, working together to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive approach to harm reduction around substance use at Lakehead.