Being Safe & Sober is a year-long effort, not a seasonal one.

Obviously, there are limits to what people can expect from an intoxicated co-worker, friend or family member.  When a person is working under the influence drugs or alcohol, we have only so much time before our luck runs out and that person fails in their responsibilities.  His responsibilities to his job, to us, his friends and co-workers, his family and ultimately himself. 

That puts much of the burden on individuals -- co-workers, friends, party hosts -- to keep their eyes open for signs of people that may have over indulged and had too much to drink.  Ideally, of course, alcohol would be just a small part of our holiday celebrations. Spending quality time with family and friends should be a much higher priority than drinking.

But people will overdo it. When someone has had one too many, take away the car keys. Call a cab. Offer a blanket and an empty sofa.  A little inconvenience and some hurt feelings now are a cheap price to pay to prevent a DUI conviction or a life-changing accident.

For help and information related to the use and effects of drugs and alcohol, click any of the sites below:

What is Operation RedBlock?

Alcoholics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous