Alcohol and Safety

When enjoyed in moderation, alcohol needn’t be a problem, but taken to excess, it can impact on your health, relationships, studies, future career, the quality of life of your neighbours, and reputation of students and the university.

Alcohol has been consumed by the vast majority of students who are investigated under Queen's Conduct Regulations. In addition, research has linked alcohol misuse by students with poor academic performance and personal injuries.

Staying Safe

Going out for a night out can be great craic. But, drinking alcohol can make you more vulnerable to accidents, crime and risk taking. Here are some things you can do to keep yourself and your friends safe when you are drinking.

Drink spiking

According to a recent survey of Belfast students, 25% said they had had their drink spiked.

• If you start to feel strange or more drunk than you should be, get help immediately.
• Never leave your drink unattended and keep an eye on your friends’ drinks
• Don’t accept a drink from someone you don’t know
• Consider sticking to bottled drinks and avoiding punch bowls or jugs of cocktails
• If you think your drink has been tampered with, don’t drink it – tell a trusted friend or relative immediately

Getting Home Safe

• Don’t give out your address to someone you’ve just met, or go home alone with them
• Before going out, let someone know where you’re going and what time you expect to be home
• If possible, make plans for your journey home e.g. book a taxi, arrange a lift, designate a driver, check out the public transport options.
• Don’t drive if you are over the limit or take a lift from someone else who is.
• If you have had a drink and are planning to drive then give yourself at least an hour for every half pint you’ve had.
• Avoid taking expensive equipment with you or anything that could be a target for thieves.  Keep your keys and phone somewhere safe.
• Where possible, travel home with friends
• If you have to travel separately, text each other once you get home.

Safe Sex

Drinking alcohol lowers your inhibitions and affects your judgement. This may make you less likely to use a condom, which increases your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia, HIV or hepatitis.

It can also lead to an unplanned pregnancy.

Free advice and contraception is available from Common Youth (028 9032 8866) and from the Student Officer Welfare in the Students' Union,on su.welfare@qub.ac.uk.

Don’t Play with Fire!

In Northern Ireland, impairment due to alcohol, illegal or prescription drugs is a factor in 80% of fatal house fires.

• Avoid cooking or lighting fires when drunk, and take care with candles and cigarettes.
• Make sure you have smoke alarms installed in your accommodation, test regularly and don’t ever cover them up.
• What may seem a harmless bit of fun, such as letting off a fire extinguisher, can lead to the loss of life.

If you are in University Accommodation, you can be fined up to £500 if you cover or tamper with fire safety equipment.

Preventing Choking

If someone passes out after drinking alcohol (but is still breathing normally), you should put them on their side (in the recovery position) to reduce the chance of them choking on their own vomit.

Also, try to make sure someone is with them – don’t leave them on their own to sleep it off.

 Alcohol Poisoning

The signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning include: confusion, vomiting, seizures (fits), slow breathing (less than eight breaths a minute), cold, clammy, pale-bluish skin caused by a dangerous drop in body temperature (hypothermia). In severe cases, alcohol poisoning can cause unconsciousness, coma and death.

If you suspect alcohol poisoning, dial 999 immediately to request an ambulance. Never leave a person to ‘sleep it off’.

If someone is unconscious, but breathing normally, put them into the recovery position.

Recovery Position

To place someone in the recovery position:

• Kneel on the floor on one side of the person
• Place the arm nearest you at a right angle to their body with their hand upwards towards the head
• Tuck their other hand under the side of their head, so that the back of their hand is touching their cheek
• Bend the knee farthest from you to a right angle
• Roll the person onto their side carefully by pulling on the bent knee
• The top arm should be supporting the head and the bottom arm will stop you rolling them too far
• Open their airway by gently tilting their head back and lifting their chin, and check that nothing is blocking their airway
• Stay with the person and monitor their breathing and pulse continuously until help arrives
• Turn the person onto their other side after 30 minutes unless they have injuries that prevent you from doing so.

For further information, go to http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Accidents-and-first-aid/pages/the-recovery-position.aspx 

Save these numbers:

SOS Bus: 07901 505 505

Emergency: 999

PSNI: 101

Noise Team: 02890 373 006

Remember: There are plenty of support services if you need help or advice

Student Wellbeing and advice services

Queen’s University

Tel: 028 9097 2893 (Student Wellbeing)

Email: su.advice@qub.ac.uk (SU Advice)

Email: su.welfare@qub.ac.uk (SU Welfare Officer)

Student Wellbeing out of hours (Inspire counselling service)

Queen’s University

Tel: 0808 800 0016

Email: qubstudents@inspirewellbeing.org 

Other organisations

Samaritans 116 123

Lifeline 0808 808 8000

PSNI Rape Crime Unit 0845 600 8000 (emergency 24hr)

The Rowan 0800 389 4424 (support after sexual abuse, assault or rape)

Nexus 028 9032 6803 (counselling for sexual abuse)

Brook 028 9032 8866 (free sexual health advice and contraception)