Alcohol

This is arguably the biggest student vice. The government recommends that women should drink a maximum of 2 to 3 units of alcohol a day, and men 3 to 4 units.

The bad news is, you can't 'save up' your units for a big night out! In order to get more of an idea about units and the dangers of binge drinking, the Portman group have devised a 'unit calculator'... so no more kidding yourself, do the maths at www.portman-group.org.uk/alcohol/214.asp 

Realistically, not all of us stringently stick to these units, especially not on a big night out. However, you do put yourself at a much greater risk when you're horribly drunk. Alcohol can really cloud your judgement, so try and stay aware and alert, whether the decisions you are making are about how you get home, or who you go home with. For concerns about alcohol visit the Portman group website which is aimed at students and has some useful information. www.portman-group.org.uk/alcohol/214.asp
Alcoholic Anonymous - 01904 644026

Drink Spiking

Unfortunately reported incidences of drink spiking and drug assisted rape have risen in recent years. Attacks are made on men and women of all age ranges and across ethnic groups and can occur anywhere from parties, pubs, clubs and even in a workplace or study environment.

Here are some things that you can do to reduce the risk of consuming "date rape" drugs and keep you and your friends safe:

• Don't drink beverages that you did not open yourself
• Don't exchange or share drinks with anyone
• Don't take a drink from a punch bowl
• Don't drink from a container being passed around
• If someone offers you a drink from a bar at a club or a party, accompany the person to the bar to order the drink, and watch the drink being poured. Carry the drink yourself
• Don't leave your drink unattended, especially when talking, dancing, using the toilet or making a phone call
• Don't drink anything that has an unusual taste or appearance, like a "salty" taste of unexplained residue
• If you realise that your drink has been left unattended, discard it
• Don't mix drugs and alcohol, when drugs are mixed with alcohol, the results can be lethal
• Go out in a group, and have a 'sober' person
Students who suspect they have been drugged and/or assaulted:
• Find someone you trust and tell then you feel ill and need looking after
• If you can't find someone you trust make a scene in order to alert someone else who can help you
• Don't go home on your own
• Go to Accident and Emergency or make an appointment with your Doctor as soon as possible in order to get your blood tested

Individuals who suspect they have been assaulted and/or drugged with Rohypnol (or any other substance) may choose to contact their local rape crisis centre or contact the police for drug testing and information on available resources. Most substances can be detected through appropriate drug testing. The findings of such tests can provide valuable evidence in a court of law if the rape survivor chooses to prosecute the case.

Rohypnol can be found in urine for up to 72 hours after ingestion; however, samples taken closer to the time of ingestion increase the likelihood of detecting the drug. The urine test for Rohypnol will also test for the presence of other benzodiazepines, as well as for marijuana, cocaine and some opiates and barbiturates. Individuals ideally also should save the glass/beverage the drug was dissolved in for testing, although this is generally unrealistic. On the positive side the manufactures of Rohypnol have announced that from now on the tablets will be distributed in a form which dissolves very slowly in water and leaves a residue floating on the surface of a liquid. Unfortunately, we cannot expect counterfeiters to do the same.

There is no one drug used in attacks, although rohypnol, GHB, ketamine and other sedatives are the most common. Mixed with alcohol the effects are more pronounced and much more dangerous.

Note! - Often the 'drug' is not a drug at all but simply a strong spirit mixed into beer or an alcopop. So be aware of the possibility of someone buying you a drink having added an extra shot or two without you realising.

You can keep you and your friends' safe by spotting the symptoms of drink spiking:

• Does your drink taste unusually salty or bitter?
• Are there odd colours or textures?
• Do you feel as if you are losing control?
• Are you experiencing hallucinations or disorientation?
• Is your friend acting with less inhibition than usual?
• Are they displaying other unfamiliar traits - amnesia, aggression, lack of judgement, incoherence or drowsiness?

Remember, not all symptoms need to be present.

For more information on alcohol drop by your welfare officer's office to pick up leaflets on 'you+alcohol+safety' or contact a number form the list below:

Alcoholics Anonymous
O845 7697 555
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk 
Drinkline
0800 917 8282
www.rapecrisis.org.uk 
www.victimsupport.org.uk