What you need to know before picking up a red party cup

We won’t talk you out of drinking on a Friday night. No one else will, either. College is about making decisions for yourself. We just want you to be safe.

Here are a few things you should know if you do choose to attend that first big kegger.
You probably think it would never happen to you, but drinking can be dangerous.

According to 2010 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 25,692 alcohol-induced deaths, some of which occurred on this campus.

People who are new to drinking typically have low tolerances for alcohol, so don’t overdo it. When you drink too much and pass out, your gag reflexes (which prevent choking) and your breathing can be suppressed. People who have drunk enough to pass out are at risk of choking to death on their own vomit or suffering from alcohol poisoning, which results in emergency room visits or sometimes, death.

It’s important to know that if you see a friend who is showing signs or symptoms of alcohol poisoning, don’t hesitate to call 911. You won’t get in trouble for saving someone’s life.

THE RISK
Another issue that can come with college parties is sexual assault. As many as one in four college women experience unwanted sexual intercourse in the United States, and many of these incidents happen at or after parties.

The danger comes from a difference in expectations between men and women, said Elizabeth Armstrong, an assistant professor of sociology, in a 2006 press release. The majority of sexual assaults involve alcohol. Here are some tips to help you out:

Watch for people who pressure you to drink or seem overly enthusiastic about getting you drunk.

Be careful with mixed punches or “Jungle Juice.” Their alcohol — or drug — content is often a mystery.

Don’t leave your drink unattended.

Never leave a friend alone when they have had too much to drink.

Make arrangements with friends to stick together and agree on when to intervene if things look like they’re getting out of hand.

Stay in a public place, like the dance floor or seating area, and stay out of private rooms.

Know where you are and how to get home. Always have cash for a cab and don’t rely on someone you don’t know to give you a ride.

Trust your instincts. If you think someone is a creep, that person is most likely a creep.

DID YOU KNOW...
The IU Health Center has a Sexual Assault Crisis Service (SACS)? This service offers crisis intervention, individual and group counseling and educational programming. It is available for any member of the IU community for free.

The service has a 24-hour telephone line, which will put you in touch with a specially trained counselor who can answer your questions and further assist you. The phone number is 812-855-8900. If you are in immediate danger, don’t hesitate to call 911.