SAFE Prom

10 PARTYING TIPS FOR STUDENTS

No alcohol required.

Remember, you don't need alcohol to have a good time. Not only is it safer without drinking, but it's also more memorable. Just think, no regrets, humiliation, hangover, or loss of self-respect to deal with the next day.

A drink is a drink is a drink.

If you choose to drink, remember that a 12 oz. beer (5% alc./vol.), a 5 oz. glass of wine (12% alc./vol.), and one mixed drink with 1.5 oz. of spirits (40% alc./vol/) standard serving sizes all contain more than five percent alcohol. If you have five or more drinks in one sitting, you're binge drinking, which can lead to alcohol poisoning and can be fatal.

Leader of the pack.

Plan to do something that doesn't involve drinking. Be a trendsetter - convince your friends that not drinking at parties is the more attractive choice - in every way. Drop the names of sports stars, rock stars or celebrities you've heard choose not to drink. Put your creativity to work to come up with activities and themes for parties. Consider karaoke, costumes, games, prizes, contests, great music, and dancing.

Plan how you'll deal with anyone who pressures you to drink or do something you don't want to do. Be prepared to say "No" (over and over again if necessary), give a witty response, change the subject, or just walk away. Practice with someone you trust or in a mirror.

Safety in numbers.

The buddy system is smart when it comes to party-going. Plan to attend parties with one or more reliable friends. Review with them what you learned in school about drugs and alcohol, decision-making, and refusal skills.

Watch that cup.

Keep an eye on your drink at all times. Never set it down then drink from it later, especially in a public place. You never know who's slipped something into it. If someone's added a dangerous drug to your drink and you consume it, the consequences can be deadly.

Let's get this party started.

But only after you know how you will be getting home safely. Beyond never drinking and driving yourself, be sure never to ride with someone who's been drinking, doing drugs, or is just plain tired. Call home, a trusted friend or relative for a ride, or walk with friends. If you're really stuck, spend the night, provided you know and trust the host, rather than ride with someone who's impaired.

Mission impossible.

Don't even think about asking someone of legal drinking age to buy alcohol for you. If they're caught, they could face a fine of up to $1,800.

You're the boss.

Let guests know about your party ground rules ahead of time. When you host a party, if someone gets impaired, leaves and gets hurt or hurts someone else, you could be held liable.

Emergency measures.

Keep emergency numbers handy-just in case. Never hesitate to call the police should things get out of hand. If someone gets drunk and passes out, they could be suffering from alcohol poisoning. Call an ambulance immediately, and turn them onto their side, with their head on its side as well, to prevent choking if they vomit. Never leave them alone to sleep it off.