Party Safe

Our group Gamma decided to cover the issue "Party Safe," In this page we will give you tips and good ways to be safe when you go out to a party.

We plan to put helpful links, and information about how to have a good time while remaining safe.
~Erica

■Alcoholic beverages have long been a source of both pleasure and problems. College students are often pictured as heavy-drinking party animals. That myth does not reflect the reality at UC Davis. According to a survey done by Cowell Student Health Center's Health Education & Promotion program in 2005, over half of UCD students drink 0-3 drinks when they party.

■Guidelines for Responsible Drinking
Problem drinkers can be defined as persons whose use of alcohol has detrimental effects on themselves or their relationships. By using alchol in a responsible way you can reduce your chances of developing a drinking problem. The following are some guidelines for responsible drinking.

■Drinking should not be the primary focus of any activity.
■Recognize another's right to drink or not to drink.
■Set a limit on how many drinks you are going to have when you drink, and stick to it.
■Use alcohol cautiously in connection with any medication or other drugs. Example: Antihistamines and alcohol can induce excessive sedation, so it would be best to avoid this combination.
■Drink slowly - if you sip a drink and do not have more than one drink per hour, the alcohol will not have a chance to build up in your bloodstream. This is due to the natural metabolic functioning of the liver.
■Eat before you drink. Eating high-protein foods like cheeses and meats, will slow down the absorption rate so that the alcohol will not hit your system all at once.
■Drinking carbonated beverages with alcohol or carbonated alcohol preparations increases the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, while diluting alcohol with water slows absorption.
■When you go with friends to a party, you might want to have a designated driver - someone who will stay sober and drive the rest home. You can take turns for other parties.

☺Tips to Protect Yourself
■Remember that alcohol is still #1 date rape drug. Persons who drink alcohol are more likely to be sexually assaulted.
■Never leave a drink unattended, even for just a minute.
■If you or a friend feel extremely drunk after only a few drinks, get help because you may have been drugged.
■Other two predator drugs being used are roofies and GHB. Both make you feel drunk after 20-30 minutes. Both can cause amnesia and unconsciousness for three to eight hours.
■If you go into a room and the person locks the door, leave immediately.
■Go to a party with your friends and always leave together. If someone you just met wants to walk you home, thank him/her for the offer, but leave with the group you came with. You can always see this person the next day, when you're both sober.

Here's a link about sexual assault and college students:
http://newsinfo.iu.edu/tips/page/normal/3383.html

Partying at your Friend’s Place, Nightclubs or Other Places

Set a limit to your drinking and stick to it.

Allow only trusted persons to buy drinks for you.

Eat before leaving home, space your drinks with non-alcoholic drinks and food, and avoid shots.

Do not leave drinks unattended

We hope these tips are helpful, so be safe and enjoy! - Jackie

Be careful of mixed drinks, there can be more alcohol in them than you think.

Know the person who is making/getting you youre drink

If you dont know a person, accept an unopened can or bottle from them.

Use the buddy sytem, and look out for your friends.

Know Your Consequences of Partying Underage With Keene State College
From The Keene State College Student Handbook

"Although the legal use of alcohol and other drugs
is a personal choice, the illegal use is a violation of the
Keene State College Alcohol and Other Drug Policy.
Moreover, ignorance of local, state and federal laws
or campus regulations does not provide protection
from these laws or regulations if they are violated."

http://www.keene.edu/young/forms/studenthandbook.pdf and can be found on page 70

Signs That You May Have Been Drugged
- If you feel more intoxicated compared to the amount of drinks you've had
- If you wake up more hung over than usual and you have memory lapse or can't recall certain time frames
- If your clothes are not "on right"
- If you are nauseous, sleepy, and have a loss of reflex
- If you feel like someone had sex with you, and you can't remember