RSA Course Online

Tag: RSA Training

  • RSA Training: Serving Alcohol to Minors – The Implications

    According to an article on www.thechronicle.com.au young drinkers that are dependent upon alcohol (in other words have an alcohol addiction) are nearly 10 times more likely to have had 10 or more sexual partners within several years than people who do not have an alcohol problem. The article was quoting a new study published in the journal “Drug and Alcohol Dependence” by author Dr Joseph Boden amongst others.

    Although the survey was conducting on New Zealand youth, the culture of binge drinking among young people is comparable to Australia’s.

    The new study shows that these young people are also nine times more likely to have committed violent offences than young people who have no alcohol abuse issues. The implication of this is great because it shows that quite a number of juvenile and violent young offenders are most likely to be misusing alcohol and if we remove alcohol from this equation, the young adult crime rate could drop by as much as 47 per cent.

    The research was conducted at the Otago University in Christchurch, New Zealand involving more than 1000 people who were part of the long term study.

    Read an excerpt from a post on www.thechronicle.com.au which explains more about the survey:

    The study’s authors, including Dr Joseph Boden, estimate in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence that the elimination of all alcohol misuse could reduce the young adult crime rate by up to 47 per cent.

    The research, from Otago University at Christchurch, is based on interviews with around 1000 members of a long-term study who were born in the city in 1977.

    The alcohol study draws on answers from when they were aged 21, 25 and 30.

    Five per cent met the clinical criteria for alcohol addiction. Up to a quarter had problems with alcohol that were less serious but still affected their daily life to some extent.

    Dr Boden said much alcohol research focused on the impact on teenagers – “because they do the most drinking, it peaks at age 21 and drops after that.

    Our study shows these adverse effects are occurring up to the age of 30″.

    He said earlier research by his group had indicated the risks of hazardous drinking patterns were now stretching further into adult life because of New Zealand’s trend of delaying parenthood, which now on average started in the early 30s.

    “It shows people are living this extended adolescence.

    Source: http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/multiple-partners-linked-alcohol-comnsumption/2008849/

    With people attempting to prolong their youth they are also doing a lot of partying which means doing the same things they did when they were younger such as binge drinking.  As people delay parenthood they are able to be more irresponsible because as the post explains, “parenthood knocks this stuff right out of people- the drinking, the drugging.” They normally don’t clean up their acts unless they have to.

    Dr Boden went on to explain that alcohol law changes passed by NZ Parliament last December were weak and didn’t sufficiently address the problem.

    New Zealand’s councils have been warned to take note of the survey’s findings in light of the new local policies they are currently developing.

     

     

  • NZ Alcoholic Couple Neglects Children

    The consequences of alcoholism has been highlighted by an incident which happened in New Zealand recently, the incident highlights the importance of Responsible Service of Alcohol because RSA staff play an important role in denying alcohol to people who demonstrate a drinking problem – to avoid incidents such as this one.

    A NZ couple reportedly neglected their 4 children by failing to provide them with food and medical care but rather prioritised alcohol, drugs and parties. Police arrested the parents for their neglect who placed having a good time ahead of taking care of their 4 children.

    The parents were subsequently sentenced to community service and intensive supervision for neglecting their children, all of whom are under five years old.

    This sad and shocking story was reported by News.com.au as follows:

    In January, police found the children, all under five, at a Hutt Valley home, unkempt, hungry and sick with skin sores that required hospitalisation.

    Police were alerted by concerned neighbours who saw children running out on to the street unsupervised during a party.

    On arrival, police found the adults extremely intoxicated and aggressive in a “fairly chaotic scene”.

    “This was not an issue of poverty for this family, these parents simply prioritised alcohol, drugs and parties ahead of the needs of their children,” Hutt Valley Inspector Mike Hill said.

    Both parents pleaded guilty to four charges of neglect, one for each child, in May.

    On Monday, Judge Susan Thomas sentenced the father to six months of community detention, between the hours of 7pm and 6am, along with 80 hours of community work and 18 months of intensive supervision.

    Source: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/world/parents-neglected-kids-for-alcohol-police/story-e6frfkui-1226672472853

    The mother was arrested and sentenced to 160 hours of community work and 18 hours of intensive supervision. Both mother and father must also undertake intensive drug, alcohol, parenting and budgeting courses.

    The young children, ages 4,3,2 and seven months were extremely neglected and being so young were obviously not able to take care of themselves. Despite the young age of the children, the home contained no baby formula or food for the children, there was also no beds or furniture for them to sleep on.

    Unsurprisingly the kids were removed from their parent’s custody. It is sad that innocent children suffer because of the irresponsibility of parents. But this inability of many adults to control how much they drink is one of the reasons why Responsible Service of Alcohol training is so important.

    Often once people become intoxicated they cannot control themselves, this leads to excessive drinking as well as a plethora of other consequences such as violence, medical conditions and alcoholism as well as the decline of the family unit.

    If staff of licenced venues pay more attention to their patrons and begin enforcing RSA rules more closely, we should see a decline in alcoholism and alcohol misconduct.

    Responsible service of alcohol training teaches workers how to identify intoxicated patrons and how to deal with them. It also teaches RSA staff the consequences they and their employer may face if RSA laws are breached.

     

     

  • Dutch Have New Unorthodox Way of Dealing with Alcoholics

    An interesting new method of dealing with problem drinkers has emerged from The Hague. A volunteer organisation in Amsterdam has found a new, totally unorthodox method of dealing with alcohol addicts who steer up trouble in public areas by providing them with beer in exchange for them cleaning up public spaces.

    It appears the problem of alcohol addicts spending their days in public parks has gotten out of hand in the city which is why these addicts are being gather in community centres for a day of work, cleaning up the parks and are rewarded with a beer with which to start their day.

    An excerpt from a report on http://news.xinhuanet.com explains:

    It is 9 a.m. and Tom can’t wait to have another beer. Tom is one of the first alcohol addicts today who gather at the community center for another day of work. And while most workdays in the Netherlands start with a fine cup of coffee, he and the others team members start their day of work with a can of tepid beer.

    Tom a member of the special cleaning force composed of 19 alcohol addicts. While most of them used to cause trouble in the neighborhood by being publicly drunk and shout at people, now they pick up the rubbish from the bushes. The reward for their public service is beer.

    “That cupboard over there is our treasury,” Tom says while pointing at the large cupboard behind the round table. The storeroom is ceiling-stuffed with beers and Tom impatiently gazes at the six-packs piled up to the top.

    “Here you are,” team leader Gerrie says, distributing one can for each worker in the room, while accurately ticking off the names on the list.

    Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-08/24/c_132659967.htm

    It is unlikely that such an approach would ever be adopted by other nations but what exactly is the reasoning behind the strange approach?

    Well apparently it is a way of providing structure to these drinkers’ days which would normally just be wasted drinking in the park.

    The initiative focuses rather on exchanging drinker’s work with 5 cans of beer, a warm meal, a tobacco pack and 10 euros for each day’s work. These people are finally being reached despite numerous attempts. There are around 82,000 alcohol addicts in the Netherlands and every year almost 30,000 people with an alcohol problem are treated.

    In the Netherlands there are numerous professional treatment facilities available for problem drinkers with an emphasis placed on early intervention and outpatient treatment.

    Most participants of the programme have experience living on the street and many of them have serious health issues which costs the economy millions. So giving alcohol does not sound like a responsible thing to do in the first place but Dutch counsellors believe their method is effective, having experienced a positive change in the last year from these methods.

     

  • Sobering Up Centres opened in Sydney to Crack down on Alcohol-fuelled Violence

    In an attempt to crackdown on alcohol related violence the New South Wales government have opened the first of its “drunk tanks”.

    Police in Sydney’s CBD and Randwick were the first to start operating the tanks last week. But drinkers and visitors to entertainment districts do not need to fear, the centres are reserved exclusively for violent or nuisance drunks, so those who are ‘well behaved’ have no need to worry about being locked up.

    Those who should be concerned are people who are intoxicated in a public place, refuse to move on direction by police and behave in an anti-social manner that may endanger themselves or others. These people will be detained and kept in a drunk tank (or sobering up centre).

    The first night of the sobering up centres resulted in 5 men aged from their late teens to early twenties being locked up and fined $200 each before being released the next morning.

    The tough new conditions were spurred on by the death of a teenager in July last year. Thomas Kelly’s death in Sydney’s Kings Cross District resulted in a range of new regulations including a ban on the sale of shots after midnight. The teenager was hit while walking in the district with his girlfriend last year and died in hospital a few days later.

    In the wake of the new sobering up centres, the State Government also announced further legislation to curb alcohol-related violence, including bans for disorderly behaviour, ID card scanners and greater supervision at high-risk venues.

     

  • Skills Shortage Drives Up Pub Salaries

    Even more good news for those looking for a new job or just wanting a change in careers, according to reports a skills shortage in the hospitality sector has driven up pub salaries – even more incentive to enter this exciting industry.

    But if you are contemplating switching to the hospitality sector, you will first have to undergo the necessary skills training, this includes undergoing the mandatory Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training. (The law dictates that any worker in a venue where alcohol is served must undergo this training before beginning work in a licenced venue).

    According to reports chefs, pub managers etc. are now in such high demand that they are commanding top salaries. Some bar and restaurant owners are even being forced to offer up stakes in their businesses to attract and retain employees, according to leading recruitment firm Michael Page.

    This post from TheShout.com.au explains,

    A total of 67 per cent of employers surveyed by Michael Page Hospitality & Leisure reported that skills shortages would cause salaries in the sector to rise above the inflation rate in the next 12 months.

    The recruiter’s 2013/14 Salary and Employment Forecast also found that more than a third of employers (34 per cent) thought it would be difficult for them to maintain headcount in the current climate.

    Michael Page Hospitality & Leisure senior consultant Warren Coxall told TheShout the roles in highest demand in pub, bar and restaurant groups are executive chefs and venue managers.

    He said that depending on their level of experience, executive chefs now command salaries of between $90,000 and $130,000 in most Australian states.

    Venue managers meanwhile can command anywhere from $65,000 to $120,000, depending on the venue.

    But with the best candidates able to command a salary increase of 10 to 15 per cent every time they move jobs, Coxall said salary alone may not be enough to ensure their loyalty.

    Read the full post at: http://www.theshout.com.au/2013/07/22/article/Skills-shortage-driving-up-pub-salaries/LULUQYEKDQ.html

    It is interesting and encouraging to hear that workers in the hospitality sector who are skilled are being appreciated and rewarded appropriately. It is also an incentive to young people who are looking for a career or those wishing to take a year or two to figure out what they want to do, to enter the hospitality sector.

    While serving alcohol or in fact engaging in any work in a pub is rewarding and for many people exciting, it is also challenging especially when faced with difficult patrons whose intention is to drink excessively. Balancing the need to serve alcohol responsibly with good customer service can be difficult but that is what makes this industry so interesting –the fact that it is a challenge but only if you are appropriately trained.

    Managers of licensed venues should ensure all employees know the products that they sell as well as being trained in Responsible Service of Alcohol. Staff of licensed venues from security staff to bartenders must obtain the RSA certificate. Luckily this RSA certificate is easy to obtain – simply complete an online course. Visit our homepage today for more information or to register.

     

  • Football Legend Suffers due to Excessive Alcohol Consumption

    The importance of Responsible Service of Alcohol training goes beyond just legal compliance, it has far reaching consequences on the community. That is why every worker in a licenced venue must undergo RSA training to ensure that they are equipped to handle serving alcohol to patrons in a responsible manner that will not negatively affect them or you.

    When we hear stories of people whose entire lives have been destroyed by alcohol, the real reason for RSA training sinks in. I recently read an article about legendary footballer Paul Gascoigne whose entire life has been destroyed by alcohol abuse.

    According to the media, Paul Gascoigne’s physical health is now being negatively affected. He is reportedly suffering from stomach pains because of his years of alcohol abuse. The ex-footballer even has to stay away of certain foods because they cause too much pain because of the damage already done to his stomach.

    In the article it is explained that the star has altered the way he eats and drinks because of the irreversible damage done.

    Read this excerpt from the article on DNAIndia.com which explains,

    Troubled football legend Paul Gascoigne is reportedly suffering from stomach pains because of alcohol abuse and cannot eat anything acidic because it gives him severe gut pain. Staff at the favourite watering hole of the former England star have said that they had to start watering down their smoothies which he loves to order as the drinks contain acidic fruits such as orange, apple and lemon.

    Revealing that Gascoigne would come in to the bar and drink their healthy smoothies in public, when presumably he was knocking back the alcohol in private, a barman said that the they had to water down their orange and apple juice as his stomach had rotted after all the boozing. According to the report, the England football legend, who went into rehab in the USA earlier this year to try to end his addiction for good, has been a major cause of concern for his family and friends.

    Read more at: http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/1864579/report-gazza-s-tummy-has-rotted-due-to-chronic-alcohol-abuse

    Alcoholics not only suffer physically and emotionally but they often inflict suffering on others. Some engage in illegal activities such a stealing, robbery and brawling while others turn on the people closest to them. The article goes on to describe Gascoigne legal problems linked to his assault of his ex-wife and a security guard. The post goes on to explain:

    Gascoigne has been charged with two counts of assault on his ex-wife and a security guard, adding that he also has been charged with being drunk and disorderly. The former Newcastle United and Tottenham midfielder was arrested for assaulting his ex-wife Sheryl and a security guard at the railway station and was later released on police bail.

    Read more at: http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/1864579/report-gazza-s-tummy-has-rotted-due-to-chronic-alcohol-abuse

    Although we all know the negative consequences associated with excessive alcohol consumption, it becomes even more real when we experience it first-hand or hear the stories of real people affected by these problems, such as Paul Gascoigne’s story, cases such as his highlight the need for RSA training.

     

  • Police Investigate Perth Crashes

    A serious road crash in Perth recently has been linked to alcohol according to police.

    According to reports the driver’s vehicle left the road and capsized after he failed to negotiate a roundabout, possibly due to intoxication. He then hit into a parked car, a fence and power pole.

    This article on Yahoo News explains:

    Police are investigating whether alcohol was a factor in crashes in Perth’s east last night.

    About 11.58 pm, police were called to Wanaping Road in Kenwick where a 29-year-old Parkwood man had crashed his vehicle.

    It is believed that the man’s vehicle left the road and overturned after he failed to negotiate a roundabout.

    The man’s car proceeded to strike a parked car, a fence and a power pole.

    Police conducted a breath test on the man but the results are not yet known.

    Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/17617698/police-probe-alcohol-as-factor-in-crashes/

    A second accident on the same night occurred when a man’s vehicle left the road and crashed into the bushes. Breathalyser tests revealed that the man was intoxicated at the time. He was charged with drink driving.

    The article went on to state:

    In a separate incident in Bayswater, a Hyundai Elantra sedan also left the road and crashed into bushes on Wyatt Road and Higgins Way.

    Police were called to the crash around 4am and breathalysed a 55-year-old man.

    After failing the test, the male was charged with drink driving.

    Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/17617698/police-probe-alcohol-as-factor-in-crashes/

    One of the greatest road safety issues in Oz at the moment is the number of crashes being caused by drink driving.

    Most people enjoy a little drink from time to time and there is nothing wrong with this in fact even doctors recommend a glass of wine a day for good heart health.

    The problem comes in when people drink and behave irresponsibly, such as drinking and driving (when their blood alcohol level is above 0.05). Most people don’t realise that they are over the legal limit when they get behind the wheel after a drink or two. As a drinker you either need to know how much alcohol is contained in the drinks you consume to ensure you are not exceeding the limit or an even better idea would be to avoid driving altogether.

    People who drink and drive need to remember that alcohol, even in small quantities can have an effect on your driving.

    Alcohol doesn’t get digested like food but rather gets absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine as well as the stomach and colon. The blood transports the alcohol to your vital organs including the heart and brain – both of which are vital in the process of driving. These organs coordinate our activities and ability to drive.

    Some of the effects of alcohol on our driving abilities include:

    • Our perception is affected. People who drink are less likely to observe traffic signs, bikers, pedestrians or cars coming from the opposite side;
    • Drinkers have less control over their reactions in traffic situations; your eyes are slower and need to concentrate on the same object for a longer period of time than you would ordinarily.
    • When we drink our space perspective narrows and we tend to focus more to the front of us rather than looking to the left and right
    • Reaction times also increase as our reflexes become slower or diminish depending on how drunk we are. That means in an emergency stop situation or traffic it would take more time to respond fast and adapt accordingly.

    Drivers who drink before driving tend to be overconfident about their abilities and are less capable of good judgement. Often drinking also makes people drowsy which is probably what contributes to so many crashes where the drivers drove off the road and crashed into stationery objects such as fences, streets, poles etc. like in the 2 incidents mentioned earlier.

     

  • WA Parents, beware of Serving alcohol to Minors

    Now more than ever it seems young people in WA are being faced with alcohol related problems stemming from binge drinking. Teenagers are drinking with the intent to get drunk and are starting at an even younger age than ever before. We are living in a society where young people have more freedom than ever before, more money than ever before and more access to alcohol and drugs than ever before which is part of the problem.

    Parents have been identified as one of the key contributors to teenagers drinking behaviour. Children often mimic the behaviour they see in their parents and some parents believe it is better to provide their children and their friends with alcohol rather than have them drinking on the sly.

    But now adults in Western Australia could soon be facing charges for supplying alcohol to minors if a new bill introduced by WA Labour is passed. The bill relates to the supply of alcohol to a minor on unlicensed premises. The law would make it illegal to provide a youth with alcohol without their parent/guardian’s consent. It is different from current law under which it is illegal for young people under 18 years of age to purchase alcohol at licensed premises.

    This post on Bunburymail.com.au explains:

    Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray said this week that the Opposition introduced the Liquor Control Amendment Bill to protect children from consuming alcohol on unlicensed premises, such as private parties.

    The bill, if passed, would make illegal the supply of alcohol to a juvenile on unlicensed premises.

    The law would also force a person to obtain the juvenile’s parent or guardian’s permission to supply liquor to that juvenile on unlicensed premises.

    “Existing laws make it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 years to purchase alcohol at licensed premises,” Mr Murray said.

    “However, no laws currently exist to prevent a person over the age of 18 from supplying alcohol to a juvenile on unlicensed premises, such as at a house party.

    “We need to close the loopholes that give children access to alcohol, often without their parents’ consent.”

    Mr Murray said the Opposition wanted to make people who supplied alcohol to minors accountable for their actions.

    “They will place the onus on parents and guardians to be responsible, to ensure their children and those children in their care, drink responsibly or not at all.”

    Source: http://www.bunburymail.com.au/story/1577483/adults-could-face-charges-for-supplying-alcohol-to-minors/?cs=12

    Experts suggest that parents of teenagers abide by a few rules when it comes to alcohol:

    • Talk with teenagers about the family’s history of alcohol or drug use. There’s a genetic component to alcoholism and teens should know if they’re at greater risk of problems.
    • Give your children one-on-one time with the doctor so that they can learn about the physical effect alcohol may be having on their bodies from a professional rather than just from a “nagging” parent.
    • Set a firm policy: No alcohol, drugs, or tobacco until the legal drinking age of 18.
    • Never host a teenage party with drugs or alcohol. The liability is potentially enormous if one of those kids goes out and kills himself or others and who would want that on their conscience, not to mention the effect that would have on your teen.
    • Show your kids how to use alcohol responsibly by example – you can have a beer or two but don’t get drunk.

     

  • Teen Drinking still High despite Alcopop Tax

    Since the 2009 tax increase on alcopops many expected the number of school kids consuming alcohol to drop but contrary to people’s expectation a study of hospital admissions in the Illawarra’s most popular schoolies destination, The Gold Coast has shown zero reduction in alcohol-related harm.

    According to a team of researchers for the University of Queensland who studied the hospital records from Queensland hospitals, emergency and trauma departments they did not see any positive impact of the alcopop tax increase on the number of teen alcohol admissions.

    The group investigated hospital records to evaluate whether the increase in alcopop tax had any effect at all on the number of 15-29 year olds coming in to hospital with alcohol-related harm and injuries such as alcohol poisoning, injuries from assaults, fights, falls, accidents etc. between2006-2009.

    This excerpt from www.illawarramercury.com.au provides some background information:

    In 2008, the Federal Government increased the excises on pre-mixed alcoholic drinks, commonly known as alcopops, by 70%.

    Although Australians have paid $4.5 billion in alcopops taxes since 2008/09, there has been no significant decrease in young people presenting with alcohol-related harm after the tax increase.

    These results should come as no surprise to people who remember what they were like as teenagers, or are the current parents of teenagers. Raising the price of just one type of drink may not reduce alcohol-related harm, especially in tourist destinations such as the Gold Coast. Young people may be merely switching to cheaper, and potentially, more potent, alcoholic drinks.

    Their response when they go to a bottle shop and find their favourite alcopops tipple has doubled in price is unlikely to be that they will go home and retire to bed with a mug of hot chocolate.

    Read more: http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1573382/blog-alcopop-tax-fails-to-cut-teen-drinking/?cs=298

    According to the Illwarramercury.com.au many drinkers have simply switched from premixed drinks such as rum and coke to pure spirits since the introduction of the tax. Consumption of pre-mixed drinks fell 31 per cent between 2008 and 2011 but pure spirits consumption increased by 20 per cent over the same period, according to data from The Australian Bureau of Standards.

    The study also found that around one third of the young people between 15 and 29 years that were admitted to emergency departments around the state had an alcohol related injury or illness as compared to about a quarter for people from all other age groups combined.

    The article went on to discuss another study that looked into the patterns of males and females under 19 years old at the Gold Coast. That study showed that other efforts to reduce binge drinking amongst this age group on the Gold Coast were ineffective including increased policing, holding official drug-free and alcohol-free events – so the increase in alcopop tax was not the only ineffective control measure introduced.

    The article goes on to explain:

    This again suggests the need for a more comprehensive approach to binge drinking among young people.  Such an approach would include a volumetric tax on all alcoholic drinks, incentives to encourage mid-strength and low-strength beer, restrictions on the availability of drinks with a high alcohol content, more effective regulation of advertising and reducing the number of outlets. In the Gold Coast, for instance, there is practically a bottle shop on every street corner.

    Considering the current attention on risky drinking for young people, these results are important and point to the need to look more broadly at the alcopops legislation and other initiatives to reduce alcohol-related harm.

    Source: http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1573382/blog-alcopop-tax-fails-to-cut-teen-drinking/?cs=298

    One thing that this article makes perfectly clear is that alcohol education is the most important thing in equipping teenagers to become responsible drinkers and have a healthy relationship with alcohol – and that education begins at home. If parents don’t lay the good foundation the chances are all other attempts by authorities to combat this disturbing trend are likely to fail.

     

  • Safe Drinking Checklist

    A lot of people vilify alcohol because of the alcohol fuelled problems we see and read about every day in the news but the truth is alcohol is valuable to society for many reasons. Beside the social benefits (alcohol helps people unwind, relax, distress and socialize better), it boosts the economy and provides countless numbers of people with employment however like every good thing there is always room for abuse.

    There are some people who use alcohol to cope with their problems, others have addictive personalities and others are influenced into dangerous drinking habits by peer pressure and social circumstances, the problem is not alcohol but people’s unhealthy approach to alcohol.

    This is one of the reasons why the Australian government implemented Responsible Service of Alcohol legislature, to negate the negative impact of drinking on society by controlling the sale of alcohol.

    Drinkers need to ensure that they keep their drinking habits under control, these are some of the guidelines for safe drinking

    There is no level of drinking alcohol that can be guaranteed to be completely ‘safe’ or ‘have no risk’ because everyone’s makeup is different, therefore everyone’s tolerance levels will also differ.  Alcohols effect on a person is affected by a myriad of things such as weight, gender and tolerance to alcohol. However, this checklist advises on how healthy adults can minimise the risk of short and long-term harms.

    ü  Drink no more than two standard drinks on any day, this reduces your risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury. Or drink no more than four standard drinks on a single occasion, this reduces the risk of alcohol-related injury arising from that occasion

    ü  Ensure you have safe transport home even before you begin drinking

    ü  For women who are pregnant or breastfeeding it is recommended that you abstain from alcohol completely because we do not know what a safe amount is.

    ü  People under 18 years of age also should not drink alcohol at all – it is the law.

    ü  According to FARE (Foundation for alcohol research and education), parents and carers should be advised that children under 15 years of age are at the greatest risk of harm from drinking and that for this age group, not drinking alcohol is especially important.

    ü  Have you taken any drugs, illicit or prescription? If so it’s best to steer clear of alcohol because you cannot be sure of the reaction that will occur when you combine the two – it could be life-threatening, directly (the reaction of chemicals could be toxic to the body) or indirectly (you could become extremely drunk and place your life in danger by drink driving etc.)

    ü  Assess your motive for drinking. Why are you drinking? If it is to get drunk then abstain from alcohol because you could be developing a problem.

    ü  Are you aware of the number of standard drinks you should consume based on your gender and the daily recommended amount? Also do you know how many standard drinks are contained in your favourite drinks? If not familiarise yourself with this to ensure you are not drinking too much.

    Keep this checklist in mind and a night out need not turn into an alcohol fuelled tragedy.