10 Party Tips for Teens
10 PARTY TIPS FOR TEENS
No alcohol required.
Remember, you don't need alcohol to have a good time.
Not only is it safer without drinking, but it's also more
memorable. Just think, no regrets, humiliation, hangover, or loss
of self-respect to deal with the next day.
A drink is a drink is
a drink.
Remember that a 12 oz. beer (5% alc./vol.), a 5 oz.
glass of wine (12% alc./vol.), and one mixed drink with 1.5 oz. of
spirits (40% alc./vol.) standard serving sizes all contain more
than five percent alcohol. If a person has five or more drinks in
one sitting, it is considered binge drinking, which can lead to
alcohol poisoning and can be fatal.
Leader of the
pack.
Plan to do something that doesn't involve drinking. Be a
trendsetter - convince your friends that not drinking at parties is
the more attractive choice - in every way. Drop the names of sports
stars, rock stars or celebrities you've heard choose not to drink.
Put your creativity to work to come up with activities and themes
for parties. Consider karaoke, costumes, games, prizes, contests,
great music, and dancing.
Be prepared.
Plan how you'll deal with anyone who pressures you to
drink or do something you don't want to do. Be prepared to say "No"
(over and over again if necessary), give a witty response, change
the subject, or just walk away. Practice with someone you trust or
in a mirror.
Safety in
numbers.
The buddy system is smart when it comes to party-going.
Plan to attend parties with one or more reliable friends. Review
with them what you learned in school about drugs and alcohol,
decision-making, and refusal skills.
Watch that cup.
Keep an eye on your drink at all times. Never set it
down then drink from it later, especially in a public place. You
never know who's slipped something into it. If someone's added a
dangerous drug to your drink and you consume it, the consequences
can be deadly.
Let's get this party
started.
But only after you know how you will be getting home
safely. Beyond never drinking and driving yourself, be sure never
to ride with someone who's been drinking, doing drugs, or is just
plain tired. Call home, a trusted friend or relative for a ride, or
walk with friends. If you're really stuck, spend the night,
provided you know and trust the host, rather than ride with someone
who's impaired.
Mission
impossible.
Don't even think about asking someone of legal drinking
age to buy alcohol for you. If they're caught, they could face a
fine of up to $1,800.
You're the boss.
Let guests know about your party ground rules ahead of time. When
you host a party, if someone gets impaired, leaves and gets hurt or
hurts someone else, you could be held liable.
Emergency
measures.
Keep emergency numbers handy-just in case. Never
hesitate to call the police should things get out of hand. If
someone gets drunk and passes out, they could be suffering from
alcohol poisoning. Call an ambulance immediately, and turn them
onto their side, with their head on its side as well, to prevent
choking if they vomit. Never leave them alone to sleep it off.
This content was developed under a grant by the U.S. Department of
Education. However, the content may not represent the policy of the
U.S. Department of Education and you should not assume
endorsement.
