Skip to main content

Think B4 U Drink: Blackouts, Benders & Binge Drinking Among College Students

by Joy Spencer


As college classes are starting and students are moving in to their apartments, dorms, and fraternity/sorority houses for the fall semester, the OLCC wants to remind students about the dangers of binge drinking.
 
“Binge drinking is a problem that affects a variety of age groups and can be very, very dangerous,” says Rudy Williams, OLCC director of the Public Safety program. “Whether you are celebrating a friend’s 21st birthday, your football team’s victories, or a great score on a test, make sure you are aware of the dangers of binge drinking and the effects that it has on the body.”
 
A few helpful tips for preventing binge drinking:
  • Start the night with a non-alcoholic drink or soda
  • Limit the amount of money you have with you, and leave your credit card at home
  • Drink slowly - try to limit yourself to 1 drink per hour so that you can tell how you feel after every drink
  • Don’t drink on an empty stomach. Fill up on food and water before and during the event
  • Dance and move around a lot - you can’t drink as much as when you sit down all night
  • Go out with a friend who doesn't drink that much, or at all
  • Make a decision not to binge drink and help others not to do it
  • Do not drink and drive
  • Talk with health care providers about your drinking behavior and request counseling if you think you drink too much

“It goes without saying that it is illegal for anyone under 21 years old to drink alcohol. Studies show that binge drinking can have serious effects on a minor’s still-developing brain. Binge drinking as a minor can lead to alcohol dependency as an adult as well as long-term brain damage,” says Williams.

Because intoxication is a progressive reaction, businesses that serve or sell liquor, and their employees need to be able to identify when customers are approaching intoxication and how to manage their consumption. A few of the more common signs of visible intoxication include staggering, slurred speech, loud or boisterous behavior, or annoying other guests or servers. They should also be on the lookout for binge drinkers, because selling or serving to someone who is visibly intoxicated is against the law.

Check out OLCC and Pernod-Ricard's YouTube video targeting the excuses some people make to binge drink.

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 6, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    Come on you know that most of that doesn't work. Though some of them are good, the food before booze is great and drinking and driving of course, but one drink and hour? You can't really expect people to do that do you?

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Can I see your ID, please?

From time to time, we receive questions on whether the OLCC requires anyone buying or being served alcohol to have a valid ID on them. The OLCC requires licensees to check ID of anyone who reasonably appears 26 years old or younger. An establishment might have a restriction on their liquor license due to a history of serving alcohol to minors or allowing minors in prohibited areas. In this case, it could be that a licensed business is required to check the ID of every person entering the establishment or being sold/served alcoholic beverages. Or, a business can choose to have a stricter ID policy than what the state requires. If you’re at a restaurant with your underage friend or relative, you might not be served - even if you have the ID to show you’re of age. Some businesses will refuse service if they suspect that you might furnish the alcoholic beverage to a minor at your table. Current accepted forms of ID include a valid state driver license with a photo; a valid DMV ID card wit...
109 comments
Read more

Who has the lowest liquor prices?

by Christie Scott You may have heard some say that liquor is cheaper in California. The facts are that only a handful of products are significantly lower, while most products are very competitive. In fact, after you’ve added in the California sales tax, many popular products in Oregon are actually less expensive. Many retail stores in states like California use a sales tactic called “loss leaders.” This is the practice of drastically marking down a few popular, fast-moving products to entice customers into coming into the store and purchasing other products. But then other products are likely marked higher to make up the cost difference. The OLCC does not use these techniques to entice people into liquor stores. For public safety reasons, the state does not try to encourage alcohol sales or try to entice people into the stores. The most common size bottle sold in Oregon is 750 ml also known as "fifths." Most people who purchase alcohol purchase this size - a...
24 comments
Read more

OLCC Bend office to hold open forum town hall meeting

Bend area liquor licensees are invited to participate in an open forum to share their ideas, questions, concerns, and insights with the OLCC. Monday, June 8 @ 2:00 p.m. ODOT offices, 63055 N. Highway 97, Bend, Oregon RSVP: Bend OLCC office @ 541-388-6292 x221 “The OLCC takes pride in its commitment to communicate with all licensees and takeholders. Our overarching goal is to have licensed businesses that are safe for employees, customers, and neighbors,” said Jason Evers, Bend Regional Manager. “We’re looking forward to our town hall meeting and to hearing what’s on our licensees’ minds.” One-on-one meetings can also be arranged with Evers for those unable to attend.
1 comment
Read more