OPINION: To BORG or not to BORG: Navigating the new harm reduction craze

Cara Finnegan is a sophomore studying sociology and pre-law, and an opinion writer for The New Political.

Please note that these views and opinions do not reflect those of The New Political.

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. So what’s the deal?

They’re called BORGS, which is short for Blackout Rage Gallons. They usually consist of water, alcohol, LiquidIV, and other flavorings from enhancements like Mio or Crystallite. They are often named things like “ABORGtion,” “I woke up in a new BORGatti” or “Ruth Bader GinsBORG” among other names. The acronym BORG is actually quite deceptive, as BORGS are a potential harm-reduction strategy, if used with caution. 

Despite 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. When drinking a BORG, the drinker has control of what and how much they are drinking, since they are the one who made it. 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. 

Dr. Thomas Vander Ven, a professor of sociology at Ohio U, urged caution when indulging in BORGS. He has studied college drinking culture here at Ohio U since 2003. 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 how college kids drink, and what they do to stay safe when they party. One harm-reduction strategy from Vander Ven’s research is a buzz check. 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. 

These buzz checks are important, and some may not realize they are doing buzz checks when they’re out. If you choose to drink a BORG at any point, make sure you’re checking in with yourself and pacing yourself too. 

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. “I do worry though, that someone creates this concoction thinking that this is about the right amount and they make a mistake. They make an error, they miscalculate. They put too much in there; and so, for that reason, you know I don't advocate for it. If you have experimented with it, and that's what a drinking career is really, it's experimentation. You make mistakes and you learn from them. This could be a mistake that you couldn't come back from.” 

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.

“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. “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. So it's all about how that person filled the gallon jug.” 

She also noted that underage Bobcats should not participate in the trend.

“But the reality is, we are on a college campus. There are laws about carrying containers, so we have to think about what policies we are breaking. 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. 

Ann Brandon’s noted that BORGs are open containers and are an important part of safely drinking a BORG and staying out of trouble.

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. Pyle advised that taping the lid to the gallon jug before stepping onto  public property, like sidewalks, is a way of making a BORG a closed container.

Pyle also mentioned how the names or recipes on BORGs can be used as incriminating evidence in court. 

“Another thing is, they need to not write on those BORGS what they are. Seriously, because it’s evidence,” Pyle said. “They’re basically putting evidence of a crime, assuming they’re underage, on their BORG. Courts may take notice of that.” 

Pyle reiterated, “It’s like you’re walking around with a great, big billboard at 19-years-old saying this has vodka in it and it’s an open container. It’s every violation that liquor control could stop you for and arrest you for.” 

Pyle’s advice is simple: 

1. Carry some tape 

2. Quit writing the recipe on your BORG.

Additionally, he joked, “If it were me, I’d write ‘Big Ole Jug of Gatorade’ on it (a BORG).”

In preparation for this weekend’s fests on Congress Street and High Street, it’s important to know and understand the risks that come with drinking, especially with BORGS. Remember to make safe choices, use the buddy system and never walk on the sidewalk with an open container. Carry some tape with you and make sure you don’t overdo it, if you choose to drink.