Festive Safety Tips

Many will be partying this Christmas and New Year, but how can you make sure you have festive fun without things turning nasty?

If drinking or using drugs this festive season, follow these basic safety tips:

·       Don’t leave your drink unattended
·       Don’t accept a ride from someone who has used drugs or alcohol
·       Space alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks (try some non-alcoholic cocktails!)
·       Stay with mates
·       Plan how you’re getting home
·       If you start to feel dodgy, let someone know
·       Avoid mixing drugs and alcohol

What To Do in the Event of Drug or Alcohol Overdose

• If someone who has been doing drugs or drinking heavily won’t waken or is not responding easily, has chest pains or is having a seizure, call 999 and ask for assistance. 

• If they pass out, roll the person on their side, this prevents problems like choking on vomit or their tongue, keep them warm.

• Do not assume that the person will "sleep it off" or would prefer not to be disturbed.

• Getting the person home and in bed is not a good solution, and may actually place the person at risk due to the fact that he or she is no longer being observed

• Stay with them until help comes, tell helping services what drugs or alcohol they have used

Some signs of a drug or alcohol overdose are:

• No response to being shaken or pinched

• Confusion

• Difficulty awakening the person

• Inability to stand

• Seizures

• Having a rapid pulse rate

• Slow, shallow, or irregular breathing

• Blue-tinged skin, lips & nails

• Throwing up

• Chest pains

• Cold skin

• Unconsciousness (passing out)