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Talking about alcohol does not encourage underage drinking. It gives students the information they need to recognize risk, make thoughtful decisions and protect themselves and their friends.
The best decisions are often made before a party. Encourage your student to consider who they are going with, how they will get home, what they will do if they feel uncomfortable and whom they can call for help. Planning ahead makes it easier to maintain personal boundaries when social pressure increases. Thinking through these possibilities before leaving gives students a clearer path if plans change, transportation falls through or the atmosphere begins to feel unsafe. Alcohol affects everyone differently. Body size, metabolism, medications, food intake and other factors influence how quickly impairment occurs. Drinking rapidly, participating in drinking games or trying to keep pace with friends increases the risk of alcohol poisoning, injury, assault and poor decision-making. Students should never leave a beverage unattended or accept an open drink from someone they do not trust. Whenever possible, they should watch it being prepared and discard it if they are unsure where it has been. Drink spiking can happen to anyone, regardless of gender. Staying aware of their surroundings and checking in with friends throughout the evening can further reduce risk as well
Alcohol never removes the need for consent. Consent must be freely given, mutual and ongoing. A significantly impaired person cannot provide meaningful consent, and another person’s “no” must always be respected. Students also have the right to refuse a drink, leave an uncomfortable situation or ask for help without apology. Choosing not to drink is valid, even when it seems that “everyone drinks.” A simple “No, thanks,” “I’m driving” or “I have an early class” is enough. True friends will respect that choice.
Trusted friends can be a student’s strongest protection. Whenever possible, students should arrive and leave together, check on anyone who appears unusually impaired and intervene when a friend seems uncomfortable. An impaired person should never be left alone. Call 911 or campus emergency services immediately if someone is difficult to wake, vomits repeatedly, has slow or irregular breathing, or becomes unresponsive. Never assume the person can simply “sleep it off.” Students should also store important campus resources in their phones, including campus police, the health center, counseling services and safe-ride or escort programs. They should know how to contact residence- hall staff. Asking for help is a responsible decision, not a weakness. College is a time to grow, explore and make independent choices. Honest conversations about parties and alcohol help students do so safely— protecting their health, respecting themselves and others, and making sure everyone gets home safely.
