17
Dec
2013
By Calvin at 15:45 GMT, 12 years ago
As part of their Operation Christmas Presence, which aims to prevent alcohol influenced disorder, violent crime and anti-social behaviour, Warwickshire and West Mercia Police are reminding people of the dangers of pre-loading and simply drinking too much before a night out during the Christmas festive season.
The warning comes from Chief Inspector Helena Bennett, spokesperson for the two forces, who said: “We want to reduce alcohol-related harm over the festive period. Pre-loading, when people consume significant amounts of alcohol before going out, may well quickly push people beyond safe limits once they are out enjoying themselves.
“Our concern is pre-loading can make people particularly vulnerable and we would strongly advise against the practice. You increase the chances of becoming, at best very sick, and at worse, involved in some type of crime or accident.”
She said officers were issuing alcohol abuse advice at every opportunity in the run up to Christmas, including highlighting the heightened risk to those who pre-load.
“Drinking large quantities before going out to pubs and clubs is dangerous. You could end up in a police cell, in the emergency and accident unit at hospital, or you could get left at home through being too drunk to go out at all.”
Chief Inspector Bennett added: “The festive period is a time for people to socialise and enjoy themselves. I urge people to be responsible and consider the consequences of drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.”
This police press release includes the following tips (I’ve added a few bits in italics):
- Don’t start too soon: Drinking before you leave the house could ruin your night before it’s even started.
- Beware of rounds: Drinking in rounds may be a British tradition but they can be expensive, dangerous if it means keeping pace with the fastest drinker in your group and a nightmare if you’re trying to cut down on alcohol. Stay in control (and save cash) by opting for smaller rounds with only a couple of friends within your group or giving rounds a miss. Agree this with a couple of friends at the beginning of the evening and don’t be worried about saying that you can’t keep up with the one who drinks like a camel
- Eat up: After-the-pub-grub is another drinking tradition, but why wait until the night’s nearly over to load up on fast food? A meal before you go out and snacks between drinks can help slow down the absorption of alcohol, helping you stay in control. Recently my friends and I have been going to a restaurant around 7pm before going to the pub. With a full stomach we’ve found that you simply don’t drink as much as the other way round
- Small is better: Make the daily unit guidelines go further by having bottles of beer or halves instead of pints and choosing a smaller glass for your wine. Buying spritzers or shandies will also help. A pint of bitter shandy is my saviour on a late night out. With a pint in the hand I don’t feel like the odd one out and enjoy myself just as much.
- Pace yourself: Sipping a soft drink between alcoholic drinks slows down the rate of your drinking and helps prevent dehydration. If you’re out clubbing, take a bottle of water. Opt for a non-alcoholic alternative, soft drink or even a glass of water for a change. I’d also like to see the industry reduce the cost of soft drinks, which I reckon are at an all-time high!
- Remember the night out: Drinking to a sensible limit can make you the centre of attention and you’ll have free recall of the events the following day. Drinking to excess can make you unpopular amongst your friends and the new people you might meet, and has a tendency to wipe your memory of the behaviour that led to your unpopularity.
Source West Mercia Police: http://www.westmercia.police.uk/news/news-articles/police-warn-don-t-pre-load-before-a-night-out.html
Drink Aware: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/
