By Leslie Cerpa
Are you and your friends aware of the consequences of drinking alcohol? Drinking too much alcohol, or more than your body can process, can lead to dangerous mental and physical health consequences. I’m not just talking about having a hangover. Alcohol also lowers your self-awareness and impairs your ability to make judgments and healthy decisions. Mixing alcohol (even having just a one drink) and sex puts you at risk of sexual assault, sexually transmitted diseases/infections (STDs/STIs), and/or an unintended pregnancy.
Sexual assault is any form of intended sexual contact and can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender identity, or sexuality. Sexual assault is any use of force, physical threats, non-consensual sexual activity, and/or abuse of authority. Rape is a form of sexual assault punishable by law.
So what can you do to help prevent sexual assault?
If you are going to a party with friends and you think there is a possibility that alcohol will be available, make sure to ask your friends if they are planning on drinking. You might want to designate someone as the sober friend for the night so that they can keep an eye on everyone and make sure everyone stays safe. (Remember, underage drinking is illegal and we don't support it, but it happens. We want you to stay safe no matter what.)
If you do choose to drink, during the party, make sure your drink is poured out in front of you, or pour it out yourself. Make sure to carry your drink with you at all times. While unlikely, it's possible that someone could drug your drink if you leave it out of sight. If you have to set it down somewhere where you won’t be watching it, you might as well throw it away and grab a new one afterwards.
If your friend is passed out, call 911 immediately. A person who is passed out has had enough alcohol to kill them. In California, the 911 Good Samaritan Law protects minors from prosecution for underage drinking if they report that they or a friend are in need of medical assistance as a result of alcohol consumption. You can be an advocate for your health and the health of those around you. Don’t let the fear of getting in trouble for underage drinking keep you from helping a friend.