Let's Talk About "IT"

February E-Newsletter

How to Protect Yourself

One of the best things you can do is to be aware of your surroundings, particularly at parties, bars and clubs. Also follow these tips —

• Don't accept opened drinks, including nonalcoholic ones, from people you don't know, (no matter how extremely hot they are).
• Don't drink beverages that you did not open yourself.
• Don't share or exchange drinks with anyone (even if it's a friend, you don't know if they've been watching their drinks).
• No matter how appealing it looks or delicious it may taste, don't drink home-made vats of mixed drinks from a bath tub, community cooler, etc.
• Don't drink from bottles or containers being passed around.
• If possible, bring your own drinks to parties.
• If someone offers you a drink from the bar at a club or party, accompany the person to the bar to order your drink, watch the drink being poured, and carry the drink yourself.
• Don't leave your drink unattended while talking, dancing, using the restroom, etc. Take it with you everywhere.
• If you realize your drink has been left unattended throw it away.
• Don't drink anything that has an unusual taste or appearance (e.g., salty taste, excessive foam, unexplained residue).
• Before you go out, make plans with your friends (especially the designated driver or designated sober friend) to check on each other.
• If you start to feel strange or unusually intoxicated, seek help from a friend.
• Go home with the same group of people you went out with.