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You’re planning a party

It's even more fun when your friends' security isn't at risk!

Although alcohol consumption may increase during the holiday season, it is something many of us enjoy throughout the year. A dinner between friends, a BBQ party, St-Patrick’s day, the arrival of summer… all of these occasions are good reasons to celebrate. As a host or hostess, be it at your house or at an office party, it’s important to take appropriate measures to ensure your guests’ safety.

Here are a few simple steps to help you plan a safe party.

Prepare a few virgin drink recipes in advance so that you have some interesting options to offer your guests if they don’t want to drink alcohol. »See virgin drinks recipes

Here are some tips and advice for a responsible party

  • Prepare a reminder for your guests by printing this poster.
  • Ask your guests how they plan to get home.
  • - Drink moderately so that you are in complete control of your capabilities throughout the entire evening.
  • Set out tables for your guests. It has been shown that we drink more and we drink at a faster pace when we are forced to hold a glass in our hand as opposed to when we have somewhere to rest it.
  • Serve appetizers throughout the event to prevent your guests from drinking on an empty stomach. Do not serve food that is too greasy, salty or sweet. These can make your guests thirstier.
  • Closely monitor the service of alcohol and make sure a dosimeter is used to avoid over-pouring.
  • Don’t encourage your guests to drink more alcohol if they say they’ve had enough. Instead, offer them other virgin beverages or water.
  • Stop serving alcohol one hour before the end of the party. This is the time to feature your virgin drinks.
  • Refuse to serve alcohol to a person who is inebriated. Make a plan for what to do if you face this situation. Don’t hesitate to ask someone you trust for help.

Do you need an alcohol permit?

A license is not required when you serve alcohol for free in your home or at your place of work. However, in some provinces, you will need a gathering license to serve alcohol at a group function for an event such as a wedding, a corporate evening, a gala, etc. However, if you want to sell alcohol, you will need a license to sell alcohol. To ask for a license to sell alcohol, you must contact your provincial alcohol distribution agency. (Source: Savoir recevoir, Éduc’alcool)

Saviez-vous que le titulaire d’un permis de réunion pour vendre a des responsabilités sociales, mais aussi légales? En effet, en vertu de la loi sur les infractions en matière de boissons alcooliques, de la loi sur les permis de conduire et du Code civil du Québec, des sanctions sont prévues pour le titulaire d’un permis d’alcool qui n’adopte pas un comportement responsable envers ses invités ou ses clients qui ont consommé de façon excessive. (Source : Lorsqu’on boit, on ne conduit pas. Party en toute sécurité, SAAQ)

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True or False?

After having had a few drinks throughout the evening, one of your guests says « I had a good strong cup of coffee so I’m okay to drive ». Coffee doesn’t help to reduce the amount of alcohol in the blood. Its stimulating effects can, however, make us believe otherwise. Coffee doesn’t speed up elimination of alcohol through the liver; only time does that. (Source : Lorsqu’on boit, on ne conduit pas. Party en toute sécurité, SAAQ)

I haven’t had a drink for a full hour, so I’m okay to drive my car. True or False? The body eliminates alcohol a lot more slowly than it assimilates it. That’s why waiting an hour doesn’t have a big impact on someone who has consumed too much alcohol.

I ate while I drank, so I’m ok to drive my car. When a person drinks while eating, it’s true that the assimilation process takes more time and the arrival of alcohol in the bloodstream is slower. However, food doesn’t prevent a person from becoming intoxicated.

After having taken alcohol, I danced and transpired a lot, so I’m OK to drive my car. Alcohol is 90% eliminated by the liver and less than 10% of alcohol can be eliminated through urine, perspiration and breathing. Dancing, walking or taking a cold shower doesn’t reduce the amount of alcohol in the blood.

I would like my guests to get home safe on the night of the party, so here are various ways you can do so:

  • Designate a sober driver.
  • Take a cab to and from the party.
  • Take city transit and call ahead of time to get the bus schedule and fare.
  • Call a sober friend or relative. Before coming to the party, you may want to let them know that you might call them for a ride home.
  • Need a ride ? Call : (780) 815-1767

One of your guests plans to drive even if impaired? Insist on not letting your guests drink and drive. How?

  • By being clear with them that you don’t think that they should drive
  • By supporting those who try to intervene with the guest(s) who want to drive even if they are under the influence.
  • By being convinced that, tomorrow, they will thank you for insisting that they don’t drive!

One of your guests says « I will check if I am impaired with the help of a breath analyzer ».

The use of a breath analyzer is often complex. If someone needs a breath analyzer to know whether they are impaired or not, they probably are. When in doubt, it’s better not to drive. (Source : Lorsqu’on boit, on ne conduit pas. Party en toute sécurité, SAAQ)