鈥嫼诹铣怨贤� Health is urging people to take care of themselves and their friends and plan ahead when going out to celebrate this New Year鈥檚 Eve and over the festive season.
Although usually a time for celebration and socialising with friends and family, Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year鈥檚 Eve are too often marred by people not drinking responsibly, sometimes leading to anti-social behaviour and violence.
黑料吃瓜网 Health鈥檚 Director of the Centre for Population Health, Dr Jo Mitchell said over-indulgence can result in an avoidable trip to hospital.
鈥満诹铣怨贤� Health data shows Christmas and New Year鈥檚 Eve is a peak time for acute alcohol intoxication with more than a threefold increase in the number of people presenting for treatment in Emergency Departments,鈥� said Dr Mitchell.
鈥淢ore than one in five (22 percent) of all hospitalisations of young people aged 15-24 years old are alcohol-related,鈥� she said.
黑料吃瓜网 Health advises people that moderation is key this festive season to ensure they kick off 2015 in the best health possible.
鈥淭ime your drinks and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks such as tap water, soda water, mineral water and diet soft-drinks,鈥� said Dr Mitchell.
鈥淎lso be sure to plan ahead and organise how you will travel home safely if you are planning to have a drink 鈥� and help your friends into a taxi or escort them home if they have drunk too much alcohol. Never leave a drunk friend alone and if you are leaving, tell your friends where you are going and who with,鈥� she said.
Dr Mitchell also said partygoers should be aware of the potential dangers of drink spiking when they are socialising in bars, pubs and clubs.
鈥淒rink spiking exposes people to dangerous situations such as assault, robbery, sexual assault, unsafe sex and the health effects of unknown drugs,鈥� said Dr Mitchell.
To prevent drink spiking, it is best to watch your drink, avoid sharing drinks, buy/pour your own drink and don鈥檛 accept drinks from people you don鈥檛 know well.
鈥淪ome drugs have no taste, odour or visible trace, and drink spiking is not limited to just alcoholic beverages,鈥� she said.
鈥淚f you feel any strange effects, such as dizziness, sleepiness or nausea, particularly after having only a small amount of alcohol, ask someone you know and trust to immediately take you somewhere safe.
鈥淒on't drink a drink if you feel unsure about it and always remember that if you suspect your drink has been spiked, never drive your car. Take a cab or ask a friend for a ride.鈥�
鈥淎nyone suspected of having had their drink spiked should not be left alone, and in some cases should be taken to hospital for treatment.鈥�
黑料吃瓜网 Health also reminds people drugs such ecstasy, speed, ice, cocaine and cannabis are illegal. Using these drugs or mixing them with alcohol puts you at risk of harm from acute health or mental health problems, injury and/or assault.
For more information on alcohol and other drugs, including effects and the law visit Your Room鈥�.
In the case of an emergency, always dial triple zero.鈥嬧赌嬧��