Factsheet
Safe Partying
Look after yourself & look after your mates.
A few things to think about so you can enjoy the party — whatever's on the menu.
It comes down to two easy things
People love to party. Whether you're hosting, attending, or having a night out, getting together with friends, family and even strangers can be incredibly fun. It all comes down to two easy things:
Look after yourself & look after your mates
Tick off these areas
Whether you're hosting or heading out, here's what's worth sorting in advance.
Party at my house
- Plan the party with your family
- Use personalised written invitations with a clear start and end time, and ask for RSVPs
- Get guests' parent/guardian permission to drink alcohol
- Recruit some adults to help run the party, and give them the RSVP'd guest list
- Let your neighbours know about the party
- Buy plenty of snacks and non-alcoholic drinks (try some mocktails!)
- Set up a food and drink area — don't forget rubbish bins
- Prepare a music list and fun activities
- Make signs for toilets, smoking areas and off-limits areas (secure valuables away)
- Prepare a sleeping area, in case someone can't get home
- Recruit a first-aid person, and keep the first-aid kit handy
- Remind guests they'll need a safe way to get home
Party out and about
- Let someone you trust know where you're going and when you'll be back
- Phone checklist: battery, numbers, credit
- Arrive and leave with a friend
- Have a ‘quick exit’ plan
- Work out how you're getting home
- Make sure condoms/dental dams are in-date and undamaged
- Eat before you go out, and snack while you're there
- Plan how much you want to drink
- Make your own drink and keep an eye on it — get a new one if you leave it alone
- Have a non-alcoholic drink between drinks
- If you experiment with drugs, be with a friend you trust and start with a tiny amount
- Avoid mixing drugs, including with alcohol or caffeine
- Pace yourself — the night is long
If your mate gets sloshed…
Act early
If a friend is starting to get intoxicated, try to take action before they get drunk. Get them to slow down by offering non-alcoholic drinks.
If they're already drunk, get them to sit down so they don't hurt themselves or others. Try to stop them drinking more, keep watch on them, and get them safely home. Call their parents if necessary.
The law
Alcohol and drug laws differ between Australian states and territories.
The law, in brief
Laws differ between states and territories and can change — check your local jurisdiction for current detail.
Mocktail corner
There are so many great mocktail recipes — try this one.
Pina Mockolada
A classic pineapple, zero-booze version of the well-known alcoholic drink.
Ingredients
- Pineapple juice⅔ cup
- Cream of coconut3 tbsp
- Ice1 cup
Method
Pour all the ingredients into a blender and mix thoroughly. Serve immediately.
Help and info
If you'd like to speak to someone, local treatment services can support you and your family, and answer questions about alcohol, withdrawal, and recovery.
- Medicines Line — 1300 MEDICINE
- Get the effects by txt — text the name of the drug to 0439 TELL ME
- Your Local Alcohol and Other Drug Service
- GPs and pharmacists
- Parents, Elders, and trusted friends
- tuneinnotout.com — youth wellbeing website
- Youth Law Australia
- Fire, Ambulance, Police — 000
- Lifeline Australia — 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline — 1800 55 1800
- Poisons Information Centre — 13 11 26
- Family Drug Support (24/7) — fds.org.au or 1300 368 186
- CODE — Community Online Drug Education
If a night out feels like more than you can handle
Support is available. Visit alwf.org.au/support for options, or call Lifeline: 13 11 14.