Alcohol and drugs

Alcohol

If you choose to drink at Schoolies, 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.

FACT: If you’re under 18 you’re at a higher risk of accidents, injuries, violence and self-harm if you drink. If you’re over 18 you should not consume more than four drinks on any single occasion.

A standard drink 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.

FACT: It generally takes about one hour for the body to clear one standard drink. The only way to sober up is to wait.

Tips about alcohol and being responsible:

• Give your body a break —enjoy some alcohol-free days.
• Pace yourself and make every second drink a non-alcoholic one.
• Choose drinks with a low alcohol content such as light beer.
• Eat before or while you're drinking.
• Know when you have had enough and stick to your limit.
• Avoid drinking in 'rounds' or 'shouts'.
• 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.

FACT: It is an offence to supply alcohol to minors. The maximum penalty is $8,000.

For more information visit the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation

Drink-spiking: it happens

Drink-spiking can happen anywhere, including quiet premises and private parties. Chances are you won't see or smell any difference.

Buy your own drink and never leave it unattended.

Drink-spiking is a crime. Report incidents to the police.

If you think a friend may have had their drink spiked get them medical attention. Do not leave them alone or with a stranger. If you are alone find a volunteer or ambulance officer for help immediately.

Illicit drugs - not worth the risk

FACT: The possession and consumption of drugs is illegal.  In Queensland, 17 year olds have their drug offences determined in the adult court system.

Marijuana

Also called weed, pot or dope, marijuana is a depressant and slows down your brain and other body functions. Mixing marijuana with alcohol really slows down your reactions. You might not realise how affected you are and this can make driving very dangerous for yourself and others.

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. 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.

FACT: You never know what’s in a pill. It could be speed, tranquilisers or talcum powder.  A test kit will not tell you everything that’s in a pill or how much is in it.

Mixing drugs

FACT: 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 or blacking out
• impotence PLUS poor decisions and instincts about sex.

Blood-borne viruses (BBVs) such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV can be spread by using unsterile injecting equipment. If you inject drugs don’t share needles or other injecting equipment – always use new sterile needles and injecting equipment.

For information on illicit drugs and their affects, please visit the National Drugs Campaign website – www.australia.gov.au/drugs.

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
• dilated 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 call an ambulance immediately by dialling triple zero (000).

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)