Guide to Throwing a Great Party where Everyone Stays
in Control.

About Alcohol
Alcohol is a drug. In fact it is the most widely used and socially acceptable psychoactive drug in Australia. It is also the most commonly used drug among teenagers. However, because it is a drug there are risks involved and when taken in large quantities or with other drugs, it is harmful to your body.

Alcohol is a depressant and changes the way you think and feel. Some people think drinking makes them cool and that you need alcohol to relax, to feel confident and to have a good time, especially at parties. However, there are many negative consequences associated with drinking too much alcohol.

Drinking too much alcohol on one occasion can cause a person to do some pretty embarrassing, silly and dangerous things. It can result in:
Vomiting . not a good way to impress a potential boy/girlfriend.
Violence . such as punching out your best friend.
Hangover.
Unplanned sexual behaviour which could lead to unwanted pregnancy, HIV
and other STDs and social isolation from friends.
Getting into a car with someone who has drunk too much.
Injuries . such as drowning and falling off balconies.
Arguing with your best friend.
Embarrassing yourself.
COMA and DEATH . from alcohol overdose.

Many of the negative experiences relate to aggression, loss of control and making a fool of yourself. Many good parties are ruined by people who drink too much alcohol and embarrass themselves in front of their friends, or worse, vomit on their friends parents carpet.

The following statements made by young people illustrate some negative experiences:
.Had my stomach pumped..
(15-year-old male)
.My mate was taking a leak on the wall and I came up behind him and pretended he pushed me or something and he didn’t know it was me and thought he was about to cop it and fell down one wall and rolled onto another and broke both his wrists..
(16-year-old male)
.My friend’s pregnant . I have lots or friends who are pregnant from doing stupid things when they are drunk..
(14-year-old female)
.I remember going over to a friend’s house and playing coins and I’d had some beer and some spirits and when I got up in the lounge room I just hurled everywhere . it went over the walls and the carpet . it was not looking good the next morning..
(19-year-old male)

It is best not to drink any alcohol at all, but if you know somebody who does drink, there are ways that the harm associated with alcohol
consumption can be reduced.

Planning Your Party
Ideas to help make sure your party runs smoothly and that everybody has a fantastic
time!
If you are having a party:
Establish ground rules with your parents (including letting them know you are having a party!).
Discuss with your parents and friends whether or not it is okay to have alcohol at the party. If you decide to allow a small amount of alcohol, let your friends know that it is not acceptable to drink excessively and ruin your night.
Know in advance what to do if there is an emergency. Have a parent, older brother or sister, or friend readily available to help you handle any problems.
Make sure only invited guests attend your party. Ask your dad or an adult relative or friend to be the bouncer.
lMake sure there are plenty of non-alcoholic drinks available, such as soft drinks, fruit juice or non-alcoholic cocktails. Encourage people who are drinking alcoholic drinks to alternate them with non-alcoholic drinks.
Provide plenty of food, not just nuts and chips, but things like sausage rolls, dips, pies, sandwiches, cold meats, pizzas and quiches.
Plan ahead how your friends are going to get home. Don.t let them accept a lift with somebody who has been drinking. Organise a taxi or somebody who has not been drinking to drive them home. You can even arrange for them to stay the night.
Don’t let friends walk home by themselves.
Look out for your friends. Encourage them not to drink too much and if they do, try to stop them making fools of themselves or doing something they might regret.
Decide what is best for you. Don.t be pressured into having an alcoholic drink if you don.t want it.

It is okay to say no! Enjoy yourself! You don’t need to drink alcohol to have a good time!