Parties, Alcohol and the Basic Do’s and Don’ts
The new school year has arrived and history has shown that not all teens and college-aged students are completely focused on their studies. The new academic year exposes students to new opportunities, new friends, new experiences and – quite possibly – to alcohol for the first time in their young lives.
The Las Cruces Police Department is offering some useful tips for those who may be hosting a party or who may be exposed to alcohol.
- Do not possess or consume alcohol if you’re under the legal age of 21.
- Do not purchase alcohol for, or provide alcohol to, anyone who is under the age of 21. Doing so is a felony offense in New Mexico.
- Don’t consume alcohol just to fit in with the crowd. Consider other options or forms of entertainment that do not require drinking alcohol.
- Remember that just because others may be drinking alcohol, you don’t necessarily have to do the same just to fit in or have a good time.
- Do not hang out or ‘party’ with people who make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
- Avoid the rapid consumption of alcohol and do not drink just to get drunk.
- Do not participate in ritual drinking games such as consuming 21 alcoholic beverages on a 21st birthday. Such drinking behaviors can drastically increase blood alcohol content to dangerous and potentially lethal levels.
- Do not allow anyone to be forced, or coerced, into drinking.
- Call 911 immediately if you believe someone may be suffering from alcohol poisoning.
- Use a ‘buddy system’ and keep an eye out for your friends. Never leave a friend – especially a friend who may be intoxicated – behind or alone at a party.
- Hang out only with people who make you feel safe and who are trustworthy. Remove yourself from any potentially dangerous situation. If a party is getting out of hand, close it down or, if necessary, call 911 and ask for police assistance.
- If you’re hosting a party, or get-together, limit the number of guests to a reasonable number and offer non-alcoholic beverages (water, sodas, lemonade, etc.) along with food or snacks.
- If you’re hosting a party be considerate of neighbors by setting time restraints and limiting noise. A good rule of thumb is if you can hear the party when you’re standing on the sidewalk, it’s probably too loud.
- Know how much alcohol you can safely consume and stay within that limit.
- Eat food before drinking. Food in your system absorbs alcohol and makes it less likely that you will over-indulge in alcoholic beverages.
- Never leave a drink unattended as it can easily be tampered with or spiked.
- If you’re going out to drink alcohol, arrange ahead of time to use a designated driver – someone who will refrain from drinking – for your transportation needs.
- Under any circumstances, do not drive a motor vehicle, operate potentially dangerous equipment or handle firearms if you’ve been consuming alcohol.
- Remember that ‘buzzed’ driving is drunk driving.
- Call a cab for a safe ride home. For a minimal fee, Project Home offers a safe ride home to anyone who may have consumed too much alcohol. Project HOME is available Fridays, Saturdays and holidays between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 3 a.m. For information call (575) 524-TAXI (8294).
Post new Comment