Where's the Party - A guide to safer partying - Smiths Falls FOCUS Community Coalition

Where's the Party -A guide to safer partying

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Where's the Party

So where’s the party?
Parties can be lots of fun, but when party goers drink too much, use drugs, or uninvited people show up, a good party can become a disaster. Serious injuries can occur. So don't let this happen to you or your friends. Where's the Party? is a guide for party planners and partygoers. It shows you how to plan ahead so that you and your friends can look out for each other. For more information call your local Public Health Unit, or Centre for Addiction and Mental Health office.

The Eastern Ontario Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership has adapted this booklet with permission from KFL&A Public Health and the Greater Kingston Area Safe & Sober Community Alliance. Production of this material has been made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada.

Disclaimer
The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.

Party Tips

If you're the host, play it safe

If you allow alcohol, don't ever let guests get drunk.
Ask a few non-drinking guests to co-host.
Do not use glasses: use plastic or paper cups.
Screen people at your door.
Serve lots of food.
Provide plenty of non-alcoholic drinks.
Don't let underage guests drink alcohol.
Keep emergency phone numbers handy (e.g. taxi, police).
Decide in advance when to call for assistance. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Keep your eyes open and ask your guests to look out for each other.
Make sure that none of your guests drive after drinking or smoking marijuana.
Avoid the unsafe use of candles, or cooking or smoking while under the influence of alcohol.

Know your guests
A party with free booze may attract party crashers. They could come, wreck the party, and ruin what otherwise would have been a special and happy occasion. They may also use the opportunity to steal items from your home.

Have an invitation list
Not on the list? Not welcome at the party.

No public advertising
Don't advertise on the Internet or post flyers.

Big event? Have a numbered master list
For larger events, like proms, make a master list of the names of everyone who buys a ticket and the number of the ticket. This way you know who, and how many are coming. Stick to your list.

No revolving door
Once a partygoer leaves the party they should not be allowed back in. You can't monitor your guests if they leave, or know what they might do. It could be something illegal.

Same door for in and out
You need to control who comes in or leaves the party.

Heads up

Girls ... did you know

Guys produce more of the enzyme that breaks down alcohol than you do. Because of this, up to 30% more alcohol leaves your stomach and enters your blood stream. So, if you and a guy of equal weight drank the same amount of alcohol, your blood alcohol content would be higher.

You have less water in your body than men do. This means that alcohol is less diluted. You will notice more effect than a male of the same body weight and body type who drank the same amount of alcohol.

You process alcohol more slowly; so the effects take longer to wear off.

If your period is due you may get drunk more quickly.

Drinking too much and being out of control increases your chance of being a victim of sexual assault.

Guys ... it's a fact

Alcohol can make you more aggressive. Tempers can flare and arguments and fights can start over stupid things.

Drinking too much and being out of control increases your chances of being a victim of sexual assault.

Be aware that when you drink, you are more likely to make choices that put you at risk, or do things you might regret.

Alcohol increases your estrogen level. Long-term, heavy alcohol use has been associated with loss of body hair and muscle mass, swollen breasts, shrunken testicles and impotence.

How much is too much?

Have fun, stay sober
People react differently to alcohol depending on things like how tired they are, how much they have eaten, how big they are, and how stressed they are.

Excessive Drinking
People drink different amounts when binging or drinking to "get drunk". Whatever the number, getting drunk can lead to problems like having sex when you don't want to or having sex without protection, getting hurt, getting brain damage if you stop breathing, or even dying from alcohol poisoning.

Drinking games can make you drink more than you normally would. It takes some time for all the drinks to get absorbed by your body, so even if you stop drinking or fall asleep, you are still getting alcohol into your blood and can get "more drunk".

Drink other stuff like water or juice to slow yourself down and eat while you are drinking. Remember that mixing alcohol and energy drinks makes you get drunk faster.

Check it out

How many have you had this week?

More than ...

2 drinks on any one day
9 drinks /week for women
14 drinks /week for men

... puts you at risk for problems.

If you choose to drink, check out the Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines.

Check it out

www.lrdg.net

Keep a look out

Look out for yourself

Don't leave your drink unattended; it's too easy for someone to slip drugs into it.
Don't accept opened drinks. Make sure you open it yourself or make your own drink.
Have a buddy. Don't leave your friends alone.
Hang out with someone trustworthy.
Avoid risks. Avoid activities like driving or boating that require you to be alert.
Don't trust your own judgment about whether you're fit to drive.
If you've been drinking or smoking up, DON'T DRIVE.
Never get into a car driven by someone who has been drinking, doing drugs, or is really tired (however safely they may drive).
Be prepared. Have a cell phone with you so that if you need help you can call a parent or a friend to pick you up.

Look out for your friends

Don't let your friends drink too much.
Don't encourage or force an already drunk person to drink more.
Look out for each other and don't be a burden on your friends. No one wants to clean up someone else's puke.
Don't loose a friend to booze. Watch for early signs of alcohol poisoning including throwing up or passing out.
Don't let your friends wander off by themselves or with a stranger, especially if they have had too much to drink.
Go with a group and leave as a group.
Stick together and look out for one another.
Share a cab.

Why drive high?

Driving high is risky!

Driving high puts you and others at risk.
Marijuana changes your coordination and perception. A driver who is high has a harder time staying in the right lane.
Marijuana slows your reaction time to road hazards like the sudden stopping of the cars ahead, or a person dashing across the road.
Marijuana can cause hallucinations. A driver who is high might swerve to avoid something that is not even there and cause a crash.
Never drink and drive or let a friend drive drunk.
You can be charged with impaired driving if you have been using marijuana. Specific evidence of direct possession or consumption of the actual drug is not required for a police officer to lay an impaired driving charge.

Test your marijuana know-how and driving skills
Will you make it home tonight? The Why Drive High? game shows how smoking up and driving messes with your hand/eye coordination just like in real life! Check it out..

Check it out

www.dontdrivehigh.ca
www.maddyouth.ca (Interactive game site)

It’s the law

Booze and driving
It's a criminal offence to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of.08 percent or more.
Punishment can include a combination of jail time, fines, and licence suspension.
Visit www.mto.gov.on.ca and click on road safety in the top box, then select Impaired Driving

Teen G2 drivers: late night passenger restrictions
New rules apply between MIDNIGHT and 5 a.m. to all G2 drivers under 20 years of age.

For your first six months in G2 you can drive with only one passenger UNDER 20 years old.
After six months in G2 and until you get your full G licence or turn 20 years old you can drive with a maximum of three passengers UNDER 20 years old.

These restrictions do not apply when you have a fully licenced accompanying driver, with four or more years of driving experience, in the front passenger seat, or if your young passengers are your immediate family members.

Visit www.mto.gov.on.ca and click on road safety in the top box, then select Impaired Driving.

Check it out

If your BAC is less than .08 percent but you are impaired, you can still be charged.
If you are caught with a BAC between .05 and .08 percent, the 2007 new legislation says your licence can be taken away immediately. The first instance: the driver is suspended for three days. The second instance: the driver is suspended for seven days and must undergo remedial measures. The third or subsequent instance: the driver is suspended for 30 days, must undergo remedial measures and have ignition interlock for six months.
If you are learning to drive and have a Graduated Driver's Licence, you must maintain a .00 percent blood alcohol level.

Your party, your liability

If you allow alcohol at an event to be held on your property, or if you host an alcohol-related event on or off your property, or if you provide alcohol to others, you may have more legal responsibilities than you thought.

Social hosts, who continue to provide alcohol to a guest who is obviously intoxicated, and who they know will drive, may be held liable for any injuries resulting from a crash.
Even if you don't provide any alcohol, you may still be liable for alcohol-related injuries that occur on your property or on other property under your control.
You are more likely to be held legally responsible when underage youth are involved.
If you allow an underage BYOB event to be held on your property, you may be held liable for injuries suffered or caused by a guest who is intoxicated. This is true whether the injuries occurred at the event or after the guest leaves.
The courts are likely to be even more critical of your actions if you bought or provided the alcohol for the underage event.

What the law in Ontario says

Under the Liquor Licence Act it is illegal:

for anyone under the age of 19 years to possess or consume alcohol,
to buy alcohol for an underage youth,
to present fake ID,
to serve or supply alcohol to anyone who is or appears to be drunk,
to sell alcohol without a licence issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario,
to be drunk in public or cause a disturbance, and
to have open alcohol in a vehicle.

Fines range from $200 to $20,000. You are at the mercy of the courts

Let’s be clear

A person can be held liable if an alcohol-related injury results from any of the following situations:

You host a party in your home and provide alcohol to a guest who is obviously intoxicated, and who you know is planning to drive.
You organize an alcohol-related function, such as a graduation party or a campus event in a rented hall, and fail to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of your guests while they are on the property.
You sign a Special Occasion Permit for an event (for example, a licenced street party or dance party), and fail to ensure that the alcohol is served responsibly, that the venue meets fire, building, and other legal requirements, that the event is properly managed and that the staff and security are adequately trained.
You knowingly permit someone underage to host a drinking party on your property.

Don't sell alcohol without a permit

It is illegal to sell alcohol in your home including in your backyard or your patio!
It is also illegal to sell or serve alcohol in a public place without a Special Occasion Permit (SOP).
If you intend to profit from liquor sales, a liquor licence is required. For more information on permits call 1-800-ONT-LCBO or 1-800-668-5226.

Dealing with an intoxicated guest

Do:

Have sober backup.
Stay calm.
Be friendly and non-judgmental.
Tell your guest you are worried about his or her safety.
Keep your distance. Tell your guest what you are going to do before you approach or touch him or her.
Stand to the side, not in front of your guest when you speak. Your guest will feel less threatened. Find a quiet area to talk to avoid embarrassment.
Get help from one of your guest's sober friends; a friend's voice will often be listened to.
Distract and guide your guest away from the area and other people.
Call the police if you are not able to calm the person down or he or she becomes mouthy or violent.

Do not:

Walk, exercise, or shower a drunken person.
Laugh at or argue with someone who has been drinking or using drugs .
Try to physically restrain a drunken guest; it usually makes the situation worse.
Give liquids or drugs to sober someone up, only time can do that.

Signs of intoxication

Slurred speech
Bloodshot eyes
Talking fast, then slow, then fast
Speaking too loudly or too softly
Sweating when no one else is
Loss of inhibitions
Flushed face
Sleepiness
Fine motor coordination is shot (difficulty picking up change, difficulty removing cards from wallet, etc.)
Dopey, not alert (responds slowly to questions)
Poor motor control (stumbling, bumping into others)

In an emergency

Alcohol is a drug that depresses the central nervous system. It affects thinking, decision-making and behaviour. Excessive use of alcohol can lead to unconsciousness, choking and death.

Emergency Recovery Position

1. Raise the person's arm closest to you straight above the head. Straighten the leg closest to you. Bend the other leg at the knee and bring the other arm across the chest.
Emergency Recovery Position

2. Place your hands on the shoulder and hip. Gently roll the person towards you. Guard the head.
Emergency Recovery Position

3. Tilt the head to maintain airway. Tuck nearest hand under the cheek to help maintain head tilt.

Emergency Recovery Position

If you must leave the person to call 911 or to go for help, place a pillow or other support behind his or her back to prevent him or her from rolling on his or her back.

Call 911 if your friend:

Is unconscious and cannot be awakened.
Is breathing slowly or irregularly. This usually means ten seconds or more between two breaths.
Has cool, clammy skin.
Has unusually pale or bluish skin.
Vomits while passed out and does not wake up during or after vomiting

Call 911 if your friend

Watch for these signs of a drugged drink
Always be alert for sudden changes in the way you or your friends feel or act after having a drink.

Watch for:

Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness
Confusion
Disorientation
Drowsiness
Memory loss
Loss of peripheral vision
Feeling of heaviness in arms and legs
Feeling more drunk than you normally would after drinking alcohol

If these, or any other unexplained symptoms suddenly appear, get to a safe place immediately by calling a family member, a friend or 911.

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