Everyone has the right to feel safe, and with Christmas and New Year approaching, it’s more important than ever to do what we can to protect and keep ourselves safe whilst we’re out enjoying the celebrations.

• You don’t have to use alcohol or abuse drugs in order to have a good time.
• Don’t leave drinks unattended, or accept drinks from a stranger.
• If you are planning on drinking alcohol, eat well before you go to the party. A full stomach will slow the absorption of alcohol.
• Drink in moderation and don’t let others top up your drinks in order to help you keep track of how much you’re drinking.
• The best way to avoid drug related problem is to stay away and not try them. But if you do, make sure you know what you’re taking beforehand, and never mix drugs with alcohol.
• Trust your own judgement. If you think you’ve had too much to drink don’t let those around you tell you otherwise.
• Stay close to the friends you trust.

Alcohol can help you relax and feel more confident. But this can lead to poor decisions. It also slows your nervous system so you become uncoordinated, have slow reflexes, and have trouble thinking clearly.

Plan ahead…

• When going out it is advised to plan ahead. These suggestions include:
• Know where you’re going and how to get there safely.
• Plan how to get home. If you know you will be drinking, make sure a designated driver has been assigned before hand or book a taxi.
• Stay together as a group and look out for each other.

Keeping your drink safe:

You can purchase this from amazon 6-Pack Drink Covers Anti Spike, Anti Spike Drink Cover Scrunchie for Alcohol Protection Reusableand Washable,Perfect for Alcohol, Girls, Women, Bars, Clubs, and Parties : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen
It’s designed to fit most cups and is designed to prevent pills and powders from being dropped into your drink. You can wear it round your wrist until you need it.

Keeping your drink safe:

You can purchase 20 of these reuseable, Spikey Stoppers from Amazon SPIKEY Anti Drug Date Rape Bottle Stopper for Bars Clubs Pubs Spiking Protection (20x Spikey Bottle Stoppers) : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen Simply place in a bottle and insert a straw.

Going to a party? Never go out without knowing how you’re going to get home!!

Plan ahead, know where you are going, who’s going to be there and how you’re going to get home.

Be careful accepting drinks from strangers, there is always the added risk of someone adding an incapacitating drug.

If someone you don’t really know offers you a drink, be sure to watch nothing nasty is being added to it. Once you have your drink, keep it with you at all times.

Only use Taxis that are licensed

Take a picture of the registration plate and send to a friend. If you are travelling on your own, be sure to tell a friend you’re leaving and let them know you are home safe.

Life360 App: Life360: Live Location Sharing – Apps on Google Play

This is a GPS tracker but it also allows you to share your location with your loved ones so they can see when you have arrived home safely. It is completely free to download.

If you want to talk to someone from In2change for drug and alcohol support, you can drop into the INFO Shop Monday to Friday or give them a call on 01978 295629.

In2change – Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Project – Young Wrexham