Spring break safety

Spring break is just around the corner. Many people will be taking time off to see family and friends, and others may be going to spring break destinations and attending parties. Many of these parties may involve drinking, so now seems like an appropriate time to discuss how to safely have fun at parties or events where alcohol is present. Although many students are aware of the law, it still seems important to point out that the legal drinking age in the United States is 21 years old. If you choose to drink, you should be aware of how you can be responsible so that you stay safe and help others to stay safe.

One of the first things to do if you are going out to drink is to have a designated driver. Choose a member of your party to not drink so that he or she can make sure you get home safely. If you can’t decide who will drive, get a taxi or use public transportation. Trust me - the cost of a taxi is much better than the alternatives of arrest or serious accident. Secondly, if you are going to drink, drink in moderation. Consuming large quantities of alcohol can lead to many problems. A few of these include not remembering all or part of the evening or getting alcohol poisoning. Another problem with drinking in excess is the lowering of your inhibitions, which may lead you to make choices you would not otherwise make and that you may regret later.

When you go out, always travel with a buddy and make sure that you and your buddy agree to watch out for one another and leave if either of you need to. If you feel that you have had too much, let your buddy know so that he or she can help you get home safely.

After planning how you will get to the event and back safely, it is important to also take care of yourself while there. If you have the opportunity, always pour your own drinks. If you don’t have the opportunity, make sure you order your own drinks and watch the person who is making or pouring the drink. Being vigilant will keep you aware if someone is puts something in your drink. You should never accept drinks from someone you do not know and trust because you do not know what is in it. It’s also safer to avoid using cups with large mouths on them, because the larger the mouth on the cup, the more room someone has to put something in it when you are not paying attention. Also, keep your drink on you at all times. If you set your drink down and walk away, do not pick it up and start drinking from it again. You do not know what happened to it while you were away.

Please remember to be careful. Although many people will feel that this cannot happen to them, I am giving this advice because it has happened and being prepared and trying to stay safe is one way of preventing it from happening to you. If you do not plan ahead to be safe, you run the risk of putting yourself or others in jeopardy.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or disorder, nor is it intended to replace a consultation with a mental health provider.