"It’s Friday and 17 year old Alex has been invited to a warehouse party on the other side of the city. Alex knows they won’t be allowed to go so tells their parents they are going to stay at a friends house, they will catch the tram there and will be staying over for the night. Alex catches the tram with their friends and when they arrive at the party it is clear that people are using drugs and Alex’s friends produce some unknown pills that they are keen to try. "
(Couldn't find any images on Google of teenagers consuming unknown pills either.)
There are multiple potential risks within this scenario/plan. Below, several of them have been listed.
There are legal risks within this scenario. Here are some of them:
Drug Possession: See, now, I'm no expert on unknown pills, but I really doubt that the pills brought to the party contained vitamins or minerals. If caught by law enforcement, Alex and their friends could face serious legal consequences, including arrest, fines, and potentially a criminal record that could impact future opportunities like employment or education.
Underage Presence: If Alex is underage, attending a party where drugs are present could lead to legal repercussions. This could include fines or community service, not only for Alex but also for anyone else.
Trespassing: If the warehouse is private property, entering without permission could lead to charges of trespassing. This could result in legal fines or other consequences for Alex and their friends.
Public Intoxication: If Alex and their friends consume alcohol or drugs and are found in a public space (such as outside the warehouse), they could be charged with public intoxication, leading to arrest, being taken to sober up, etc.
Transporting Drugs: If Alex or their friends are caught transporting the unknown pills to or from the party, they could face additional charges, compounding any existing legal troubles.
Impaired Judgment: Seems like a common theme in these scenarios. The influence of drugs and alcohol can severely impair judgment, leading to risky decisions. This may include engaging in dangerous activities such as wandering off alone, getting into fights, etc.
Overdose Risks: The unknown nature of the pills poses a serious risk. Without knowing their contents, dosage, potency, etc, there is a risk of overdose, which could lead to severe medical issues.
Exposure to Dangerous Situations: I can't imagine a warehouse party attendance list contains nice, calm, law-abiding citizens. On the contrary, w
arehouse parties can attract individuals who may engage in risky or illegal behaviour. Alex may be exposed to violence, theft, or similar.
Alex can simply say "no" confidently and assertively when offered drugs or alcohol.
Example: "No thanks, I’m not into that kind of stuff."
Pros: Clarity (this approach does not leave much room for misinterpretation) and peer respect (Alex stated his opinion firmly and straightforwardly).
Cons: Potential social isolation if Alex is the only one who doesn't want to take random pills.
Instead of getting himself into a sticky situation, Alex could simply find better friends that more closely align with his personal values. No refusal gymnastics.
Pros: No need to make up excuses, better influences on Alex.
Cons: If he can't find any better friends, Alex might end up socially isolated.
A service that could potentially help Alex is YODAA (Youth Online Drug and Alcohol Advice), available at https://yodaa.org.au/. YODAA is an online platform specifically designed to provide young people with information, advice, and support regarding drug and alcohol use. It aims to empower youth by offering accessible, reliable information and resources to help them make informed decisions about their wellbeing. especially around drugs and alcohol (as name suggests). They also have FAQs. Some pros and cons:
Tailored Information: YODAA provides evidence-based information that is relevant to young people. This can help Alex understand the risks associated with specific substances and the potential impact on their health and wellbeing.
Anonymous Support: The service allows users to ask questions anonymously, which can encourage Alex to seek advice.
Access to Experts: Users can interact with professionals who specialize in youth drug and alcohol issues, providing a direct line to expert advice and support. This can be invaluable if Alex has specific questions or concerns.
Interactive Resources: Whilst this function has not yet been launched as production on their website,
YODAA will offer interactive tools and resources, including quizzes. These can help Alex assess their own choices and understand the consequences of drug and alcohol use in a user-friendly format.
Digital Only: Like the other online services, YODAA isn't personal. While you can talk to experts online, it might not be a replacement for in person interactions. Depends on Alex' personality.
Less Personalization: While YODAA offers a range of information, the advice may not always be tailored to Alex's specific circumstances. The one-size-fits-all approach can sometimes overlook individual differences that are important for effective support.
