Alcohol and drugs
Alcohol
You want to celebrate the end of exams and your school days, but it's okay not to drink. In fact, it's the safest option. But if you choose to drink, do so within the low-risk guidelines: no more than two standard drinks per day on average and no more than four standard drinks on any one day. These drinks should be spread over several hours.
A standard drink (PDF 269 kB) is a useful way for you to monitor how much alcohol you consume. Regardless of the type of drink, a standard drink contains 10 grams of pure alcohol.
It is compulsory for all liquor packaging to carry information on the label stating the number of standard drinks the product contains. If you're unsure, read the label.
Tips about alcohol and being responsible:
- Eat before or while you're drinking.
- Know when you have had enough and stick to your limit.
- Avoid drinking in ‘rounds' or ‘shouts'.
- Drink a non-alcoholic drink in between alcoholic drinks.
- Always keep an eye on your drink.
- Know what is in your drink.
- Don't share or swap your drinks.
- Look out for your friends.
- The only think that will reduce your blood alcohol level is TIME!
For more information visit www.everydrinkcounts.qld.gov.au
Drink-spiking: it happens
Drink-spiking is illegal but it happens. It can lead to assault, robbery, rape and sexual assault, or even death. Many victims are female and most know their attacker. Drink-spiking does not just happen in noisy, crowded nightclubs. It also happens at private parties and quiet venues.
- Always buy your own drink and keep it with you.
- Don't accept a drink from someone you don't know and trust.
- Drink out of bottles or cans rather than a glass.
- Symptoms of drink-spiking include sleepiness, unsteadiness, slurred speech, overtly provocative behaviour and memory loss.
- If you think you or your friend's drink has been spiked, get help immediately from bar staff, volunteers or police.
Visit the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation for more information.
Drugs are illegal and can kill
The possession and consumption of drugs is illegal. In Queensland, 17-year-olds have their drug offences determined in the adult court system.
Don't take chances, illicit drugs have no manufacturing controls and you don't know what you're getting. You never know what's in a pill. It could be speed, tranquilisers or talcum powder. Even a test kit won't tell you everything that's in a pill, or how much. IT IS ALWAYS A RISK!
Some information on drugs:
Marijuana
Also called weed, pot or dope, marijuana is a depressant and slows down your brain and other body functions. It also causes learning difficulties and brain damage. Mixing marijuana with alcohol really slows down your reactions, so your driving will be doubly affected, but you might not realise how affected you are. Marijuana also destroys your ability to make plans and enjoy them. It affects your coordination and judgment.
Methamphetamine
Also known as speed, base and ice, this drug is a highly addictive stimulant. It raises your body temperature and speeds up your brain, breathing and heart rate, but they don't function well at high speed. Methamphetamine may let you think you're 10 feet tall and bullet-proof, but you're not!
Ice
Ice is a more concentrated form of methamphetamine - it can increase aggressive behaviour, paranoia and a tendency to be violent. Smoking ice is as addictive as other ways of using the drug.
Ecstasy
Also known as MDMA, pills, E, XTC and eccy, ecstasy can stay in your system for up to 36 hours with side-effects including vomiting, sweating and anxiety. People have been really sick from ecstasy use, often due to dehydration and overheating, or they have overdosed from taking too much, too quickly. Ecstasy comedowns can trigger depressive episodes and other mental health problems.
Mixing drugs
When you mix drugs, each one will affect your body, sometimes in opposite ways. This DOES NOT mean they cancel out each other. Mixing drugs increases the risks of:
- overdose and accidents
- poor judgment (especially of distance if you drive)
- vomiting (even when you're kissing) or blacking out
- impotence PLUS poor decisions and instincts about sex.
For information and counselling call the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on free call 1800 177 833.
What to do in an emergency
The signs of a drug affected person are:
- Unconsciousness
- Paranoia and agitation
- Aggressiveness
- Dialated or constricted pupils
- Increased or decreased heart rate
- Abnormal behaviour
- Altered respiratory rate (fast or slow)
- Sweating, dehydration, withdrawal
If you can't get your friend to wake up, they are behaving unusually or collapse:
- IMMEDIATELY call an ambulance by dialing triple zero (000).
- Stay with the person.
- Check to see that they respond to simple commands such as "open your eyes" or "squeeze my hand".
- If they are unconscious and breathing, turn them on their side.
- If they are not breathing, start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Ambulance officers and paramedics will NOT notify the police when they respond to an emergency where illicit drugs are involved unless:
- there is a risk to physical safety
- a death has occurred at the scene
- a person has suffered a violent injury such as a stabbing or shooting.
More information on responding to an emergency when illicit drugs are involved (PDF 99 kB).
Last reviewed: 29 September 2009
