Tom Pyle, Athens City Police Department’s chief of police, mentioned that many recent Mill Fest partygoers who carried BORGs were not aware they were open containers. So, the reality is, if you’re able to maintain your own level and know where you are still going to be ok and you can have control of that and keep the cap on, I absolutely feel that it could be a form of harm reduction”, Brandon explained.Īnn Brandon’s noted that BORGs are open containers and are an important part of safely drinking a BORG and staying out of trouble. There are laws about carrying containers, so we have to think about what policies we are breaking. “But the reality is, we are on a college campus. She also noted that underage Bobcats should not participate in the trend. So it's all about how that person filled the gallon jug.” “Now if you're filling the things with a gallon of liquor, you're gonna have a bad night, and maybe a visit to the hospital. “There were many many more unsafe ways that people consumed alcohol a long time ago… So the reality is, it's actually a form of harm reduction if done correctly,” Brandon said. Similarly, Ann Brandon, the associate director of prevention and education here at Ohio U, takes the stance that if done with caution and due-diligence, BORGS can be a form of harm reduction.

This could be a mistake that you couldn't come back from.” You make mistakes and you learn from them. If you have experimented with it, and that's what a drinking career is really, it's experimentation. They put too much in there and so, for that reason, you know I don't advocate for it. “I do worry though, that someone creates this concoction thinking that this is about the right amount and they make a mistake. Vander Ven mentioned, “I think it’s plausible that this trend is a kind of intoxication management.” However, he still urges caution when drinking BORGs. If you choose to drink a BORG at any point, make sure you’re checking in with yourself and pacing yourself too. These buzz checks are important, and some may not realize they are doing buzz checks when they’re out. A buzz check is when an individual who has been drinking takes a second to pause and ask themselves how intoxicated they are and analyze their needs. One harm-reduction strategy from Vander Ven’s research is a buzz check. He has studied how college kids drink, and what they do to stay safe when they party.

Vander Ven also wrote a book about his findings called Getting wasted: Why college students drink too much and party so hard. He has studied college drinking culture here at Ohio U since 2003. Thomas Vander Ven, a professor of sociology at Ohio U, urged caution when indulging in BORGS. Additionally, the handle and screw-top lid on BORGs ensures that the drinker can accessibly hold their BORG close to them, as well as keep the container closed.ĭr. When drinking a BORG, the drinker has control of what and how much they are drinking, since they are the one who made it. The acronym BORG is actually quite deceptive, as BORGS are a potential harm-reduction strategy, if used with caution.ĭespite their name that comes with the connotation of unsafe drinking habits like blacking out, BORGs are a great way to control what you’re drinking, watch how much you’re drinking, and keep control of your alcohol. They are often named things like “ABORGtion,” “I woke up in a new BORGatti” or “Ruth Bader GinsBORG” among other names. They usually consist of water, alcohol, LiquidIV, and other flavorings from enhancements like Mio or Crystallite. They’re called BORGS, which is short for Blackout Rage Gallons. If you’ve walked down Mill Street during the recent fest, you’ve probably seen partygoers with gallon jugs brightly colored liquid, often with funny drawings and names on them. Please note that these views and opinions do not reflect those of The New Political. Cara Finnegan is a sophomore studying sociology and pre-law, and an opinion writer for The New Political.

Borg drink mio