“I was looking through the stories on Snapchat and ended up seeing somebody post on their story, they’re like, be careful, a bottle of vodka had gotten roofied,” – Anonymous Roosevelt student.
This is a story from a Roosevelt junior at one of the infamous Seattle spodies. A spodie is a party attended and planned by high school students. The main attraction of these parties is the various concoctions of alcohol distributed among teens in attendance. Although the term ‘spodie’ is used in reference to social gatherings, the term is also coined for the mixture of different alcoholic beverages, juice, and cut up pieces of fruit that can be served in anything from pitchers to inflatable pools.
A widespread concern at spodies is the threat of roofies. The term “roofied” refers to the event in which someone’s drink is spiked with an unknown drug without their knowledge. This is often done with the intention of hurting that person, risking their personal safety and health. Roofy also refers to a specific drug called Rohypnol, a strong sedative known as a “date rape drug,” however this isn’t relevant to the occurrence of roofies in this instance.
Spodies have been prevalent in the Seattle area for years, and for many high school students, attending one is the perfect way to spend a Friday or Saturday evening. From a student survey, 63 out of 73 students reported having good or decent experiences at these events. The responses included accounts of positive and exciting social interactions. One Roosevelt student reports, “Had a great time, vibes were good. Never felt pressured to do anything and always felt safe. Felt like the moment I didn’t enjoy it, I could leave with no social penalty.”
While the survey found a majority in favor of spodies, there were still 10 respondents citing poor experiences. But as any thoughtful science teacher could confirm, it’s quite easy to find merit in evidence supporting preconceived ideas.
The minority of respondents who indicated a negative spodie experience reported uncomfortable stories. “I was harassed, roofied, ditched, and lost a lot of friends that night,” one student responded. Another student described the event as “scary, because multiple people got roofied.” One respondent describes physical violence: “Got hit 3 times, [and] unprovoked by 4 dudes at the last one I went to. They also hit my girlfriend.” Other respondents cited similar experiences with football players attempting to hold their drinks, which contributed to an uncomfortable and unsafe environment for them.
Although the majority of student responses overwhelmingly support these gatherings, safety should always be the top priority, even at the expense of a fun night. The few negative responses will always outweigh the positives, as they have more significant, long term impacts. To ignore this fact would be immoral.
An additional spodie safety concern involves the presence and use of guns, which leave many in panic and fear as instinct kicks in. An anonymous junior at Roosevelt recalled a spodie when a loud bang rang through the fields of Magnuson Park. At that moment she feared for her safety. “This guy decides it would be a super smart idea to set off some fireworks while people were 10 feet away, so everyone starts running down the hill, and as I’m running, this guy just bulldozes through me and throws me into the thorn bushes, and I couldn’t get out cause I was stuck in the thorns,” says the student.
Littering is another consequence of these gatherings, as many spodie attendees leave behind an array of trash. Once the field grounds are cleared of teens, all that’s left are crushed red solo cups, drink cans and bottles, and any other remains from the night. Not cleaned up by attendants, the trash is left as a responsibility for others.
Perhaps the most serious consequence, however, is the risk of underage alcohol and drug use. According to a 2019 census, 19% of people between the ages of 12 and 20 reported drinking alcohol while 11% reported binge drinking in the last 30 days. According to the CDC, about half of 9th through 12th graders have reported using marijuana while two in 10 reported using unprescribed medicine.
These high-risk actions can impact school work, while also increasing the chance of alcohol or drug related car crashes and sexual or physical violence. Unfortunately, situations involving drug and alcohol use are prevalent at these gatherings. This presence of drugs makes the threat of being roofied a reality.
An anonymous Roosevelt junior who attended a spodie at Foster Island says, “This girl was laying on the floor, on the ground, and it looked like she’s shaking a lot, and it was, I don’t know, it was really scary, she looked not healthy, and then I found out after that a bunch of different girls there got roofied.”
This begs the question, how can people stay safe not just at spodies, but at parties in general? One of the most significant ways to prepare is to make plans with friends and stick with them. Another way to prepare is to have multiple ways to get home. Have a designated driver— someone sober and available for speedy pick-ups— or money for an Uber. Lastly, when consuming alcohol, drink in moderation. Remember: underage drinking, especially at parties, is reckless.
While at a spodie, it is not advised to drink from the container of alcohol provided, as there is no way to tell where the drink has been or what it contains. However, in the event that alcohol is being consumed, never leave it unattended or let anyone not trusted hold it. Another great way to keep a drink safe is to cover it with a hand or sleeve or bring a drink cover. If feeling nauseous, dizzy, or unwell, get help immediately with the assistance of a trusted friend.
Though the student body may have mixed feelings about this article, perhaps it will encourage some to think critically about the next party attended. Be wary of social gatherings that involve the consumption of alcohol, look out for friends, and make smart decisions. Remember, an ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure.
