Alcohol and other drugs
If your friend is unconscious:
- roll them on to their side in the recovery position
- call Triple Zero (000)
- stay with them.
Signs someone might need medical help:
- Vomiting
- Collapse
- Can’t be woken from sleep
- Choking
- Pale or blueish skin
- Seizure or shaking
- Slow or shallow breathing (less than 6 breaths per minute)
You don’t need to drink or take drugs to have a great time at Schoolies; the event is all about having a good time and celebrating your achievements with your friends.
Make good choices so your Schoolies experience is filled with great memories.
Throughout Queensland, all times of the year but especially during Schoolies, there are going to be lots of officers from both Queensland Police Service who will be in uniform and in plain clothes, and also officers from the Office of Liquor and Gaming, roaming throughout Surfers Paradise, throughout Broadbeach and your licensed venues.
They're there to ensure public safety. If they do approach you, they can ask your name, your address, and your date of birth and yes, you do need to supply those things.
They can also ask to see inside bags, to look inside your water bottles and things like that. You do need to allow those. All the Officers, whether they're in plain clothes or in uniform, will be carrying ID. If an Officer does approach you, yes you can ask for that ID but when you do ask for the ID, make sure you do it respectfully.
So during Schoolies, it is important to remember that not everyone chooses to drink alcohol, however, if you do choose to drink alcohol, there are certain laws that you need to be aware of.
It is illegal to drink alcohol in a public place in Queensland—that's not just during Schoolies, but that's all-year-round in Queensland. If you are under the age of 18, you are deemed to be a minor and that means you cannot be in possession of alcohol.
It doesn't matter whether that's in a public place or private residence, you still cannot be in possession of that alcohol. Even if it's in your bag or you're carrying it for a friend, that is still being in possession of alcohol.
If you are over the age of 18, you cannot supply a minor with alcohol.
It is also an offence to be drunk and disorderly in a public place or on a licensed premises.
If you are caught committing any of these offences, hefty penalties do apply.
It's important to remember that drugs are illegal and that's for so many reasons but none more important than your health.
Taking an illicit substance can lead to major health ramifications, not only short term but in the long term too.
If you are in possession of an illicit substance, it is an offence.
If you are caught committing this offence, you will be dealt with under the criminal justice system. That then can lead to charges being laid, going through a court process, and in the end, you can have a criminal record.
If you do have a criminal record, that can lead to future job prospects being affected.
It can also lead to travel plans being affected, and also future studies.
Just think twice about taking drugs. Don't let one silly mistake ruin your future.
Alcohol
Alcohol may be considered to be the most socially-acceptable drug, however it's responsible for more drug-related deaths and trauma within youth than any other drug.
Alcohol is a depressant that causes the brain to slow down, resulting in:
- slurred speech
- poor judgement
- confusion
- slower reaction time
- poor vision
- lack of coordination.
The brain is still developing during adolescence, making you more sensitive to the effects of alcohol.
Drinking may make you feel happier, more confident and hyper. It can also make it harder to:
- control your emotions and impulses
- make good choices.
Ultimately, it will lead you to do things you may not normally do which you may later regret; it can make you feel pretty rubbish the next day.
If you're under the age of 18, it's illegal to drink alcohol at Schoolies. It's also illegal to drink in public no matter what your age.
These are the laws for all of Queensland, not just during Schoolies.
True or false
- The statement 'I can sober up by taking a cold shower or drinking coffee' is FALSE.
On average, it takes one hour for a single drink to leave the body. Nothing can speed up the process. The only way to sober up is to give your body time to process the alcohol. - The statement 'beer and wine are safer than spirits' is FALSE.
If you drink too much of any alcoholic drink it can be dangerous to your health. - The statement 'you can die from drinking alcohol' is TRUE.
Alcohol is a powerful drug that slows down the body and mind. Drinking too much alcohol too fast can lead to alcohol poisoning which can kill you. - The statement 'if someone is under the age of 18 has had too much to drink and is very unwell, calling Triple Zero (000) will lead them to get in trouble with the police' is FALSE.
In the event of an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000). Emergency services priority is the health and safety of the patient and they will not involve the police unless there is aggressive or dangerous behaviour
Drink spiking
Drink spiking is adding alcohol or drugs to someone’s drink, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, without their knowledge or permission.
It can often be linked to crimes such as sexual assault or robbery and can occur at any time and can be done by anyone, even mates.
Drink spiking is illegal – even if it's done as a joke.
How to protect yourself from drink spiking
- Prepare or buy your own drinks.
- Don’t take your eyes off your drinks or leave them unattended.
- Don't share or swap drinks with others.
- Be wary if someone serves you a drink that's different from what you requested.
- Try to stick to drinks in bottles with screw-top lids.
- If you feel sick or dizzy or lose control of your lower body (can’t walk), ask someone you trust to take you to a safe place.
- If you suspect drink spiking, don’t risk it – always call Triple Zero (000).
if you think a friend may have had their drink spiked, seek medical attention straight away. Don't leave them alone or with a stranger.
If you can’t get your friend to wake up, if they're behaving unusually or collapse, call Triple Zero (000).
Getting help for a mate who's had too much to drink is one of the best things you can do as a friend.
Don’t ever let the fear of getting in trouble stop you – the health and safety of your friend is the main concern of emergency services, even if they've taken illegal substances.
Help can be provided quicker and more effectively if you can provide details about what has been taken.
Ambulance officers and paramedics will not notify the police when they respond to an emergency where illicit drugs are involved unless:
- there is a risk to physical safety
- a death has occurred at the scene
- a person has suffered a violent injury such as a stabbing or shooting.
Drugs
The only way to stay safe around drugs at Schoolies is to say no and not use them – they're illegal and dangerous.
What you're taking
When it comes to drug making/manufacturing there's no quality control, so you can never know:
- where they’re made
- who made them
- what they contain.
Often, they can include ‘fillers’ such as:
- chlorine
- veterinary tranquilisers
- talcum powder
- everyday household cleaning chemicals.
How it'll affect you
Every time you take drugs, you’re gambling with your life.
Not only can you never be sure of what you're taking, but more importantly you never know how your body will react.
Just because a drug hasn’t had any effect on your friends doesn’t mean that you'll l have the same experience.
The effects of drugs can be inconsistent and unpredictable; they can vary between people or can give different results for the same person on different occasions.
It’s okay to say no
If you're under the age of 18 or have made the decision to not drink or take drugs at Schoolies, you may be pressured or get offered them.
It’s normal to want to be with your mates, feel included and avoid conflict – we get it, saying no can be hard.
You can do things like:
- simply say no and let the person know that you really mean it
- stand up straight and make eye contact when saying no
- be prepared with an excuse just in case, e.g. 'nah, not tonight / I’m not feeling great / I’m sitting out tonight'
- change the subject
- remove yourself from the situation
- find something else to do with other friends
Remember – the human body is not designed to party for 7 days straight.
If you've got a mate who doesn’t want to party, be a good friend and sit this one out with them.
Fines and the law
There will be many police and compliance officers, often in plain clothing, patrolling the streets and Schoolies locations during the Schoolies celebration period.
At any time, they can:
- ask to look inside your bag
- sniff your drink bottles
- ask you to present your photo ID.
Regardless of where you're celebrating Schoolies, be aware that the laws surrounding alcohol and other drugs may be different in each state or country and the consumption and possession of illicit drugs is illegal.
What you do at Schoolies can affect your future. If you're convicted of a criminal offence, you could have difficulty getting a job and it may even prevent you from travelling overseas.
Remember – good choices make great futures.
Also, be aware that:
- it's illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Police often do roadside testing for alcohol and drugs during Schoolies.
- police can search you at any time if they have reasonable cause to suspect that you have illegal items or substances in your possession
- possessing, producing, or supplying others with drugs is a serious criminal offence
- possessing an implement (e.g. bong, cannabis pipe, needle) that is used for smoking or taking illegal drugs is an offence
- it's illegal for you to give someone prescription drugs
- selling or supplying tobacco to someone under the age of 18 years of age is illegal
- if you're caught committing an offence, you'll be dealt with in the criminal justice system.
The penalties associated with these offences can be harsh depending on the quantity and type of drug involved, especially if you commit a drug offence overseas.
Alcohol and the law
You might know that it's against the law to drink alcohol under the age of 18, but did you know it's illegal to drink in public no matter what your age even if you're over 18?!
These are the laws for all of Queensland, not just during Schoolies.
Every year, hundreds of fines are handed out and school leavers taken in to into custody, and ultimately, some futures ruined – don't become a statistic.
Queensland law states that:
- you must be over 18 years of age to enter a licensed venue or purchase alcohol
- it’s illegal for any person to drink alcohol in a public place
- it's illegal for a person under 18 to buy or consume alcohol It’s an offence to supply alcohol to a minor, under the age of 18
- if you're under 18, you can't possess alcohol (even if you’re holding it for a mate while he does up his shoelace, you can be fined on the spot $500).
You can be fined in Queensland for:
- drinking in a public place ($500* if under 18 and $166* if over 18)
- supplying alcohol to a minor in a public place ($1,335 – so don’t buy alcohol for your underage mates)
- being under 18 and found on licensed premises ($500*)
- saying you're over 18 when you're not (minor falsely representing themselves as over 18 – $500*).
Using fake ID
Don't fake it! It's illegal to use someone else's ID or make a fake ID. If caught, you face being taken to court, your ID being confiscated and fined on the spot.
Be aware that:
- if you represent yourself as being over 18, when you're not, you could be fined $500*
- if you use a friend's ID you may be fined $333* on the spot
- if you lend your ID to a friend, you may be fined up to $667* and the ID may be confiscated on the spot.
Drugs and the law
Possession and the trafficking of illicit drugs is illegal. During Schoolies, police can search you for illegal drugs if they have cause to suspect that you have some in your possession.
In Queensland, the laws and penalties surrounding drugs can be harsh. If you're charged with an offence, it may:
- affect your chances of travelling overseas
- hinder future job prospects
- negatively impact relationships with your family and friends.
Keep in mind, you'll be charged as an adult at 17 years of age for drug offences.
Avoiding drugs is the best way to protect your future and to ensure your Schoolies is memorable for all the right reasons.
The laws in Queensland state that:
- possessing or supplying others with illegal drugs is a serious criminal offence
- possessing a device that is used for smoking cannabis is an offence (e.g. bong, pipe, or needle)
- selling or supplying tobacco to someone under the age of 18 years is an offence
- driving or being in charge of a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal
- it's an offence to give someone prescription drugs other than as prescribed.
If you're caught committing a drug offence, you'll be dealt with in the criminal justice system.
*Fines correct at time of publishing. Source: On-the-spot fines.