The following information was prepeared by Julie Fenn,LICSW, member of the
LPS P.E. and Wellness Dept. and our system wide Prevention Specialist.
BASIC FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOL POISONING.
Basic Facts:
Alcohol slows coordination and reaction time, impairs vision, clear
thinking and judgment.
12oz beer, 5oz wine, 1.5 oz liquor, or one wine cooler all have same
amount of alcohol and have the same effects on the brain/body.
It takes about 2-3 hours for one drink to leave the body.
The presence of food in the body and a person’s weight affect how
alcohol is absorbed in the body.
Alcohol may have a greater influence on girls just before
menstruation.
Girls taking the pill may remain intoxicated longer than those who do
not, because the liver needs to metabolize both the estrogen and the
alcohol.
Alcohol and the teen brain…it is known that alcohol affects the
frontal lobes, which are involved in planning, decision-making and impulse
control.
Also shown that the hippocampus, which is involved in memory
formation, suffers some damage as a result of alcohol abuse during
adolescence.
What To Do When Someone Is Intoxicated (UC Davis Student Health Center)
CONTINUALLY MONITOR THE INTOXICATED PERSON.
CHECK HIS/HER BREATHING, waking him/her often to be sure he/she is
not unconscious.
A DRUNK PERSON should not be put in charge of another drunk person.
DO NOT exercise the person.
DO NOT allow the person to drive a car or ride a bicycle.
DO NOT give the person food, liquid, medicines or drugs to sober
him/her up.
DO NOT give the person a cold shower; the shock of the cold could
cause unconsciousness.
REMEMBER: THE ONLY THING THAT CAN SOBER A DRUNK PERSON IS TIME!!!!
How To Tell If Someone Has Alcohol Poisoning (UC Davis Health Center)
If the person is breathing less than twelve times per minute or stops
breathing for periods of ten seconds or more, CALL 9-1-1.
If the person is asleep and you are unable to wake him/her up, CALL 9-
1-1.
Look at the person's skin. If it is cold, clammy, pale, bluish in
color,
CALL 9-1-1.
Other Important Factors
Stay with a person who is vomiting! Try to keep the person sitting
up. If he/she must lie down, keep him/her on him/her side with his/her head
turned to the side. Watch for choking; if the person begins to choke, GET
HELP IMMEDIATELY, CALL 9-1-1.
If a person drinks alcohol in combination with any other drug, the
combined effect could be fatal, CALL 9-1-1.
If the person is not in need of medical attention and is going
to "sleep it off," be sure to position the person on his/her side placing a
pillow behind them to prevent them from rolling out of this position. This is
important to help prevent choking if the person should vomit. STAY WITH THE
PERSON AND WAKE HIM/HER UP FREQUENTLY. Even though the person is sleeping,
alcohol levels may continue to rise, causing the person to become
unconscious, rather than asleep. If at any time you can not wake the person
up, CALL 9-1-1.
Any person that has altered consciousness, slowed respiration, or
cool, pale skin is experiencing acute alcohol intoxication (alcohol
poisoning). This is a medical emergency and you MUST get help, CALL 9-1-1.
Parents Prepare Helping Parents in Changing Times (April 2006)
Overview of the Laws Pertaining To Minors:
Consuming, Serving, Buying
THE LEGAL DRINKING AGE IN MASSACHUSSETS IS 21
The health and safety of our students are our primary concern. Both
parents and teens are encouraged to challenge and confront the thinking
that “kids will be kids” or that it’s “normal” for teens to experiment with
alcohol and other drugs. Substance abuse is a public health concern and has
ramifications for individual teens, families and the community at large.
Talk with your child about the many consequences of alcohol and
substance use and to educate them about the following crimes that can be
committed: (based on Massachusetts General Laws)
• All unlawful drug violations are arrestable. In some instances, the
penalties include mandatory jail sentences.
• The Lexington Police Department Strictly Enforces “Minor
Transporting” Laws and persons under 21 in possession of alcohol are subject
to arrest. Without a parent or guardian, every person under 21 in a vehicle
with alcohol may also be subject to arrest.
• Supplying Alcohol To A Minor, (person under the age of 21 years), has
a fine of up to $2,000 and 6 months in jail. This includes dispensing
alcohol at private house parties. If the person found to be drinking is
under 17 years of age (a “minor”), then the person responsible can be charged
with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.
• The laws Governing The Operation Of A Motor Vehicle While Under The
Influence Of Alcohol Or Drugs are particularly strict on minors. The odor of
alcohol on a minor operating a vehicle is probable cause for police to
investigate further. A breath test result of .02 or higher is classified as
legally intoxicated. In addition to the criminal penalties, the minor will
lose his or her license for a minimum of six months. One drink or the single
use of an unlawful drug impairs a person’s ability to operate a motor
vehicle.
Contributing To The Delinquency Of A Minor brings a 1
year jail sentence and a $500 fine.
• Possession Of False Identification Is A Felony, (Chap. 138 Sec.
34A). Any person who attempts to purchase alcohol, or misrepresent his/her
age, or falsifies, or defaces his/her identification offered as proof of age,
to purchase alcohol, faces five years in prison, a fine of $300 and a 90 day
loss of license. This includes anyone making arrangements to have alcohol
purchased for them.
• Host Liability. The law is clear. Parents and youths should not
believe that there is discretion or reasonable justification for minors
consuming alcohol or drugs at a private party. Turning a blind eye, or “a
wink and a nod”, will not excuse a property owner from civil liability. It
is also foreseeable that minors can be injured when using alcohol and drugs,
increasing the liability of the person(s) responsible for supervising the
party or youths.
If a person leaves a home after consuming alcohol, and is injured, or
injures another person, or causes property damage, then the
home owner, or person who let that person leave the home in
that state, may be held liable
in a civil action.
A host of a party may be held liable for the injuries suffered by
others if
the host knew, or should have known, that a guest was drunk and thereafter,
because of the guest’s intoxication, the guest negligently caused injury to
others. If the guest who causes an injury is a minor, the
host who served
the alcohol or permitted alcohol to be served to the minor might be held
liable to others even if the minor was already intoxicated when the minor
was served alcohol.
REFUSAL SKILLS FOR TEENS
Personal Credit-The Power to Refuse
Refusals are like charges against a personal credit account. Too often young
people feel that a single refusal will bankrupt a relationship. Friends have
a value to one another, which is why friendship is like having money in the
bank. Even though a refusal costs something it draws down on the credit, but
it doesn’t empty the account.
1. Make Your Position Clear
The best solution to social pressure is to say “NO” clearly, distinctly, and
with conviction. While this is probably the best strategy, it is one of the
hardest things to do. However, the advantage of making your position clear
is it usually puts an end to the pressuring.
2. Adding Emphasis
Sometimes there is a need to reinforce the word “NO” with an extra word like
absolutely, never or no way.
3. Stating Facts or Consequences
“My parents will ground me for a whole month”, “No way, that stuff can really
mess you up”, or “I’ve got to drive home and there’s no way I’m going to risk
losing my license.”
4. Excuses
“The stomach flu has been going through my family and I think I’ve got
it.” “My parents are picking me up early” or “My mom just text messaged me
and my sister is sick and she needs me to come home”
5. Reversing The Pressure
“Why is it so important to you that I drink? “Why do you want me to change my
decision?” why does a person have to drink to have fun?”
6. Proposing an Alternative
Let’s play cards instead, or let’s go to the movies.
7. Planning Ahead
Anticipate what some of the issues might be, what could come up and how
they’ll safely get out of the situation.
-have back up transportation, go with a friend who shares your
values,
have a prearranged change of plans that can “come up” all of a sudden,
a promise from parents to come get you if you need them too, calling
a friend at a specified time.
8. Leaving the Scene
Have a plan ahead of time for how your teen could leave the situation safely
9. Sharing the Responsibility
Borrow the power from a known authority such as coaches or parents.
10. Buying Time
Saying something like, “Not now, maybe later” can give you a little time to
figure out how to get out of the situation.
11. Recruiting a Friend
Use other friends who can reinforce your position. Plan ahead.
12. Using Humor
Humor can reduce the tension created by refusal.
13. Helping a Friend
14. Saving the Group
The values of holding out against the group can be enormous. Providing
guidance, supervision and assistance when someone is at risk of being hurt.
15. Deception
Response of last resort. Some teens pretend to drink, holding a beer
can or glass in their hands.
STRATEGIES FOR MODELING HEALTHY ALCOHOL RELATED BEHAVIOR.
(From the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Abuse
Services)
If you use alcohol, use it moderately. This generally means a
maximum of 1 drink a day for women, and up to 2 drinks a day for men.
Don’t communicate to your children that alcohol is a good way to
relax or handle problems. Demonstrate other, healthier ways to relieve
stress, such as exercising or talking things over with someone close to you.
Don’t involve your children in your use of alcohol, such as asking a
child to get a beer from the refrigerator.
Keep alcohol out of reach or in a locked cabinet, starting when your
children are young.
Be aware of how you talk about drinking, such as telling stories that
make drinking glamorous or funny.
Never drink and drive, or ride in a car with a driver who’s been
drinking.
When entertaining adults, provide alcohol-free beverages and food. Do
not serve anyone who’s had too much to drink, and make plans for them to get
home safely.
If your children see someone using alcohol in an unhealthy or
irresponsible way, you may need to explain it. “If you as a parent witness
something and you don’t say anything, your kids will think it’s ok. You have
to acknowledge what is not right.”
Don’t support teen drinking. Your elementary-aged children are aware
of your attitudes and behavior related to teen drinking, especially if there
are teen siblings in the house. Do not provide alcohol to teens and their
friends.
Cultural or religious customs-such as drinking wine at meals or
religious occasions-may affect your family’s beliefs about alcohol. Take
this into consideration as you set family rules and expectations about
alcohol, and explain this to your children
TIPS FOR HOSTING AN ALCOHOL-FREE PARTY
PLAN IN ADVANCE
Discuss your expectations and rules with your teen and include him/her in the
planning. Communicate these expectations to your teen’s guests. Some
parents will greet the teens and clearly state the party rules at that time.
Others have written out a list of party guidelines and enclosed them in the
invitation.
• Establish a guest list with your son or daughter. How well do you
know the other teens that will be attending? If you don’t know all the
proposed guests, this is a good time to find out more about them as you go
over the list. Openly discuss any concerns you have about anyone listed.
• What to say if confronted by an uninvited guest. Have a discussion
ahead of time with your teen, When in doubt the teen can always blame the
parents. Your teen can say, “I’m sorry but my parents are strict and are
only allowing a limited number of kids to come over.” Don’t allow party
crashers (uninvited guests). Parents might apologize and say that because
you haven’t spoken to their parents, then you can’t assume responsibility for
them and they may not attend the party.
• Limit the number of guests by direct invitation only. Open parties
where unlimited numbers of people show up tend to get out of hand.
• Set specific starting and ending times for the party and communicate
them to invited guests before the event.
• Consider communicating with parents of all guests and let them know
how you plan to run the party. Share the agreed rules and ask for additional
phone # if parents will not be home. Invite parents to stop in and introduce
themselves the night of the party.
• Consider inviting other parents to provide moral support and to help
keep things under control.
AGREE TO RULES AHEAD OF TIME
• No smoking or chewing tobacco
• No alcohol, marijuana or other drugs
• Some Lights must be left on.
• Some rooms in the house are off limits.
• When a guest leaves, do not allow him/her to return.
• No uninvited guests.
THE NIGHT OF THE PARTY
• Prevent access to alcohol or other drugs in your home. Consider
locking any cabinets containing these substances to avoid temptation.
• Have all guests leave coats, backpacks, pocketbooks, etc. away from
the party room.
• Do not allow drinks brought by guests. Teens may bring water/soda
cans/bottles full of alcohol or some other drug. Teens also may put drugs in
food.
• Avoid serving punch or serving soft drinks in cups, because they are
more easily tampered with.
• Make your presence known. Try to avoid retiring to another part of
the house. Walk through the party frequently. Be visible (though not
intrusive) and be aware! Experienced parents recommend that a good way to do
this is to replenish snacks often as a way to walk through the gathering area.
• Know how all guests are getting home.
• If you suspect that a guest has used alcohol or other drugs contact
his or her parents immediately.
• Provide the snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.
WHAT PARENTS CAN DO
When Your Teen Is Going To A Party
Be sure you know where your teenagers will be
• Obtain the address and phone number of the party host/hostess.
• Know some of the other teens that will be at the party.
• Know the starting and ending time of the party.
• Have a contingency plan with your teen if they want to leave the
party early or they are uncomfortable with their ride home.
• If you are not providing transportation, make sure you know who your
teen will be riding with.
Contact the parents of the party-giver
• Verify the occasion, make sure the host parents are aware of the party
• Offer assistance. Offer to send food or help chaperone.
• Make sure that a parent will be home all night and that no alcohol or
other drugs will be allowed.
• Leave the host parents phone numbers where you can be reached during
the party.
• When you drop your teen off, wait to see that she/he is inside the
house before leaving.
• If you don’t know the host parents, stop in and introduce yourself.
In The Event That Alcohol Or Other Drugs Are Present At A Party
• Make it easy for your teen to leave. Prearrange for him/her to call
you (or a designated adult for a ride home.) Perhaps give your teen a cell
phone so they have immediate private access to you.
• Establish a code word with your child in case your teen chooses to
leave a party early.
• You might have an understanding that there will be no punishments or
restrictions for a call letting you know things are getting out of hand.
• Remind your son or daughter that friendship includes dissuading a
friend from drinking and driving.
Be Awake When Your Teen Arrives Home
• Teens are creative in masking oral odors. Peanut butter, mints,
mouthwash and sprays are frequently used.
Avoid Spontaneous “Sleep-overs” When Possible. If your teenager stays
overnight with a friend after the party check with the parents of the friend
to verify that:
• They want your teen to stay over and they will be home.
• You both agree on the length of the stay and other basic rules.