Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder What We All Need to Know Prudent strategies for coping with alcohol use and abuse in your generation

Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder Why Should This Matter to You? 34% of high school students will use alcohol to excess during high school Every student will experience the pressure to drink More than 1900 deaths per year of high school students due to drinking You can help a friend in trouble if you if you know what to do

Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder Binge Drinking Defined as 5 drinks for men and 4 drinks for women in a 2-3 hour period Why the difference? –Body mass –Different ways the body processes alcohol 18% of high school students binge at least once a week

Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder Adverse Effects of Binging on Student Performance Academic –When you binge drink at least once a week, your grades can suffer. Going to class drunk or hung-over lowers your retention rate and is not a productive way to learn.

Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder Consequences of excessive drinking Drinking lowers your inhibitions, which can lead to: –Unwanted sexual contact –Unprotected sex –Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Drinking under the age of 21 is illegal –Trouble with your parents –Suspension and expulsion from school –DUI- Driving Under the Influence Drinking excessively is physically dangerous –Accidental injuries –Assault –Rape –Death

Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder True or False? 1] Waiting until you are 21 to drink does not make any difference. 2] White wine is safer than liquor and beer. 3] Switching between types of alcohol is more dangerous. 4] Drinking improves sexual performance. 5] Coffee and energy drinks cancel each other out.

Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder Alcohol Poisoning is OVERDOSE Alcohol is a drug. 12 standard drinks in one hour is alcohol poisoning. 280 deaths occur per year from alcohol poisoning in high school students. Significant and long-term brain injury can occur. –Decreased short term memory capacity –Increased chance of getting Alzheimers

Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder Understanding the Clues If person is: –Unable to walk –Vomiting –Unconscious –Unresponsive to verbal or physical stimuli –You can write on them… THEY ARE IN DANGER!!

Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder How to respond to potential emergencies Turn the person on their side –The recovery position prevents dangers involving the aspiration of vomit. Don’t leave them alone to sleep it off Notify an authority figure (your parents or 911) if you feel that your drunk friend could be in danger.

Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder Recovery Position 1. Kneel next to the person. Place the arm closest to you straight out from the body. Position the far arm with the back of the hand against the near cheek. 2.Grab and bend the person's far knee. 3. Protecting the head with one hand, gently roll the person toward you by pulling the far knee over and to the ground. 4. Tilt the head up slightly so that the airway is open. Make sure that the hand is under the cheek. Stay close until help arrives.

Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder Colorado Safe Haven Laws An underage person and one or two other persons shall be immune from criminal prosecution as long as: –One person called 911 and reported that an underage person needs medical help due to alcohol consumption –Everyone present gives their names to medical support –The underage person was the first person to make the 911 report –The people who made the 911 call remain on the scene with the underage person medics arrive and cooperate with everyone

Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder Drinking and Driving When you are underage, any amount of alcohol in your system while driving merits a DUI Drinking contributes to 41% of all automobile accidents DUI Convictions can result in: –Loss of full driving privileges for a minimum of 2 years –Possible imprisonment for up to 1 year –A maximum $2,500 fine.

Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder How to avoid peer pressure and be safe Pour all drinks yourself or watch them be made. Make “light” drinks. Use extra ice. Make your drink last; drink slowly. If others are not cool with your drinking decision, then they are not your friends.

Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder How to avoid peer pressure and be safe Drink water throughout the night. Dance, dance, dance! Skip drinking games. Do not mix any kind of drugs with alcohol. Carry your drink everywhere and never set it down.

Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder How to avoid peer pressure and be safe Don’t go out alone; always use the buddy system. Designate a sober observer and driver. If someone vomits, do not let them continue to drink Know when to call 911 Have the courage to call 911 –Many student deaths are the result of concerned peers not making the call.

Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder New Consequence The CU Police and Boulder Police have begun to give out tickets if you present a fake ID to a merchant. Your ID will be confiscated AND you will have to go to court. Don’t use fake IDs—the consequence is real. –Fraud –Identity theft

Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder Scenario 1 17 year old male Novice drinker (new to drinking) Reporting 6 shots in one hour Responds verbally but incoherently Vomiting Can’t walk

Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder Scenario 2 18 year old male Binge drinker Fell down 6 stairs and lost consciousness Now displays nausea, vomiting, and has a headache

Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder Scenario 3 15 year old girls Party with keg and liquor Each claims to have had two beers Verbally and physically abusive Can’t stand or walk Have vomited

Student Emergency Medical Services University of Colorado at Boulder Scenario 4 17 year old female Unconscious No one knows how much she drank Moves a little after you cause physical pain Laying in pool of vomit and urine