Alcohol, Drugs and Safety

We all know what the law says about alcohol and drugs, but what you might not know is that drinking alcohol and taking drugs not only affects your health and wellbeing but increases your vulnerability and the chance of you being the victim of crime, abuse or accidental injury.

A lot of violent crime (e.g. assault, robbery or rape and sexual assault) involves alcohol or drugs in some way, either the victim or the perpetrator of a crime is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Talk to someone you trust about alcohol and drugs and the effect they can have on you. This could be a parent, youth worker, teacher, Connexions PA or a friend. You can also visit the web links below which give you honest and real information about alcohol and drugs.

If you, a friend or someone you know drinks alcohol or takes drugs you should always remind them to be safe. Look after your friends like you’d want them to look out for you and stick together.

Remember, if anything bad does happen it isn’t your fault and you should always talk to someone you trust about it. If you are the victim of a crime then you should always report it to the Police. Never be afraid that you’ll get into trouble for drinking or taking drugs since your safety and preventing harm to you is the main priority for the Police. Alternatively there are many other ways you can report crime, confidentially and anonymously. See the ‘Reporting Crime’ game or ‘What to do about crime’ page for more information.

Advice about alcohol, drugs and safety

• It is illegal for under 18 year olds to buy alcohol.
• If you drink or know of anyone who does make sure they don’t drink too much and keep themselves safe. It’s all too easy for someone to get drunk and run the risk of being the victim of a serious crime.
• Too much alcohol or drugs makes you more prone to accidents.
• Alcohol dulls your instincts and awareness of danger.
• Alcohol and drugs affect physical co-ordination and decision making abilities.
• Some adults and other young people deliberately look for young people who are drunk and vulnerable. In a couple of seconds a good time can turn nasty!
• Before going out know how you are getting home and make arrangements in advance such as booking a licensed taxi/lift. Find out from the company the make and model of car to expect.
• Know where you are going and if possible make sure someone else knows where you are going too.
• Make sure your mobile is charged and has credit. Have a licensed taxi number stored in your phone.
• Remember to keep enough cash for your journey home and keep your keys separate from your bag.
• Perpetrators are less likely to attack someone who appears confident and aware of their surroundings (Remember someone who clearly looks drunk looks more vulnerable).
• If you are travelling alone on public transport, always choose to sit in carriages with other people or downstairs on buses.
• Stay alert and don’t take unnecessary risks. Too much alcohol can affect your judgment.
• If anything bad ever happens to you when you are drunk or under the influence of drugs you should always tell someone. Report it to the police, talk to a friend, teacher, Connexions PA or youth worker who will help and advice you about what you can do.

Spiking

People spiking drinks or food in order to make someone vulnerable to rape or sexual assault has been in the news a lot recently. This involves someone spiking a persons drink or food with drugs such as Rohipnol in order to make them loose consciousness and put them in a very vulnerable position for them to be assaulted.

This can be a very traumatic experience for anyone, and they may not remember exactly what has happened.

You should avoid accepting alcohol or drugs from people, especially people that you don’t know well, even if they seem friendly – sometimes people who want to take advantage of you (for sex or to steal from you, or attack you) will want to get you drunk to lower your inhibitions so you’re an easier target.

• Think twice before accepting drinks from someone you don’t know well.
• Watch your drink being poured and do not leave it unattended. That way no one can spike it or add more alcohol to it.
• But, people don’t always need to use drugs to make you vulnerable, alcohol alone is far more likely to put you at risk.

It is important to note that, under the new Sexual Offences Act 2003, someone who is drunk cannot willingly give permission to have sex and therefore it is considered under the law to be rape.

For more information about this see the ‘Rape and Sexual Assault’ and ‘Exploitation’ pages on this site.

Worried about someone else’s drinking or drug taking?

If you are worried about someone in your family because of their drinking or their drug use (it might be your mum or dad or your brother or sister) talk to someone you trust as soon as you can and get advice and support about it. This could be a friend, teacher, Connexions PA, youth worker or someone you trust. Alternatively, you can contact one of the specialist services in the city that can help you:

• Brighton Oasis Project provide friendly and confidential specialist support for children and young people aged 8-16 affected by their parents substance use. For further information and support Tel: (01273) 696970.
• The Young Carers Project provide help, advice and support to children and young people who care or look after their parent or parents or someone else in their family. Tel: (01273) 234045.
• ru-ok? (Young People’s Substance Misuse Service) Tel: (01273) 293966,
• Youth Advice Centre (YAC), Tel: (01273) 889292
• Young People’s Centre (YPC), Tel: (01273) 230130
• The Patched Project offers advice and support to the families, partners, parents and carers of substance misusers and the wider community affected by substance misuse. Tel: 0800 085 4450 or (01273) 671607

Downloads

Alcohol Safety leaflet: This leaflet gives more advice and information about some of the risks and safety issues people need to be aware of when drinking.

Links

www.Sussedaboutdrink.net/

This is a great website, developed in Brighton & Hove, that contains loads of information, help, advice and games about alcohol and drinking for young people.

www.Sussedaboutdrugs.net/

Another website developed in Brighton & Hove for young people. This time the site gives you loads of information, help and advice about drugs and substance misuse.

www.areyouok.org.uk/

ru-ok is a specialist substance misuse service for young people in Brighton & Hove. To find out more about their service and the information and support they can offer check out this website.

www.connexions-sussex.org.uk/

The connexions website and service can give you advice and information about alcohol and drugs.

www.talktofrank.com/

Frank offers free confidential Drugs Information and Advice to young people. You can also phone their freephone number 24 hours a day (0800 776600)

www.drinkaware.co.uk/

A great website which gives you information about alcohol units in drinks, hints and tips about all aspects of alcohol and drinking safely, effects of alcohol and much more.

www.alcoholandfamilies.org.uk/

Alcohol Concern has developed a specific website with information about substance misuse within families. The website offers advice and information to people who live with family members who may be using alcohol or drugs.