This month - tips for a safe Christmas including personal safety and advice on alcohol and drugs ... 

Inspector Stephen Fairbrother is the Crime Reduction Officer for Derbyshire Constabulary.

December is here.  I wish everyone a crime free and safe Christmas.

It is the time for office “do’s”, parties, swapping presents, family gatherings.  We all want a good Christmas with fun and enjoyment.  With a little care, we can make sure we all stay safe.

This months tips:

We all like a drink and it’s Christmas …..!  Yes, but don’t let that make you over-indulge on alcohol – you could ruin your Christmas, you could ruin your life!  Very few sober people get involved in violence.

The other big danger at Christmas is drugs – drug dealers will exploit this time of celebration to increase their filthy trade.

Alcohol and drugs:-  the following advice is relevant all the time, but be particularly vigilant in December.

Most people are aware that drinking to excess can damage their health.

There is also a clear link between excessive drinking and certain types of crime.  Some offences are alcohol-related by definition – drink driving – for example.  But these are by no means the only ones in which alcohol plays a large part. There is also an indirect link, in that alcohol abuse may create the sort of unhappy family from which children are more likely to turn to crime.

Drinking and driving

Alcohol is a major cause of accidents on the road.  One in five drivers killed in road accidents have drunk more than the legal limit for driving.  There is no sure way of telling how much you can drink before you reach the legal limit.  It varies with each person depending on weight, your sex, whether you’ve just eaten and what sort of drinks you’ve had.

Your driving ability can be affected by just one or two drinks – even if you are below the legal limit, you can still be prosecuted if a police officer suspects your driving has been affected by alcohol.

The best advice is never drink and drive.

Alcohol and your children

Young children, like adults, need to know how to drink safely.  By the time they reach their teens, many will be drinking socially at parties, clubs and discos.  Although most do so sensibly, a number come to harm through excessive drinking.

The risk is that, as inexperienced drinkers, young people may make mistakes about when and how  much is safe to drink.  Heavy drinking and drunkenness are more common in the late teens and early twenties than in any other age group.

Their chances of coming to harm – hangovers and sickness, fights, trouble with the police and accidents resulting in injury or even death – are that much greater.

Here is some advice to help protect your children from these dangers:

• Set a good example by drinking sensibly yourself.  Children pick up their early knowledge of alcohol by watching adults and are strongly influenced by what they see.
• Alcohol is often shown in a glamorous light.  Point out that it has a negative as well as a positive side, and that it is not essential to socialising and having fun.
• Try to explain to your children why you want them to understand alcohol and drink sensibly.  Try to discuss the subject, and to understand their views as well as putting your own.
• Tell them it is alright to stop whey they have had enough, or to have a soft drink.  Encourage them to choose low alcohol rather than stronger drinks.  Tell them they shouldn’t mix strong drinks.
• Warn them of the risks.  Drunkenness can lead to arguments, fights and trouble with the police.  Discourage them from drinking in the street, especially in groups, as this can be intimidating to other people.
• Remind them that driving is much more dangerous after any amount of alcohol.
• Make a drink and drive pact with your children  

Ask your children to agree:

• Never to drink alcohol if they intend to drive
• Never to accept a lift from someone who’s been drinking
• To call a cab which you (parents) will pay for if they can’t use public transport to get home.  

Keeping your children safe from drugs 

Taking drugs like heroin, cocaine, Ecstacy or LSD is illegal and can be very dangerous.  If your children take illegal drugs it can lead to other crimes.  They may steal or shoplift, for example, to get money to pay for drugs.  And while feeling “high” they may turn to other crimes, like stealing and driving cars, or even more serious offences.

If your child takes drugs you may notice he or she:

• Changes mood suddenly
• Is bad tempered or aggressive
• Eats less
• Stops sport, hobbies, schoolwork or seeing friends
• Gets sleepy or tells lies  

Of course, these are all signs that could be part of the process of growing up.  They don’t automatically mean your child is taking drugs.

Look for other signs:

• Money and things disappear
• Smells, stains or marks on the body or clothes
• Powders, tablets, burnt tinfoil or needles  

If your child is taking drugs the dangers are from accidents while intoxicated, accidental overdose or becoming addicted.  Drugs also have side-effects which include frightening hallucinations,  mental and emotional disorders, infections, sores, blood poisoning and other illnesses.

In an emergency – if your child overdoses

• Get him or her to fresh air
• Turn them on their side
• Ring a doctor or 999 for an ambulance
• Take any powders or tablets near your child to the hospital  

Do’s and Don’ts

• Do examine your own attitudes and behaviour.  It is more likely that young people will turn to drugs if they come from a home where adults are heavy drinkers and smokers.
• Do explain to your children why you take drugs your doctor has prescribed, such as sleeping pills.
• Do be prepared.  Talk to your husband or wife about how you will feel if you find out your child is on drugs.  Discuss it with other parents or school teachers if there seems to be a problem locally.
• Do make the time to talk to your children about drugs.  Don’t frighten them, but encourage them to talk freely.  Let them know that you will help if they have problems.
• Take an interest in your child’s own interests and concerns.  This includes school and leisure activities.  Check out any school problems as soon as possible.
• Don’t be over suspicious of your children.  It could push them into drug-taking instead of away from it.  

Need Help?

Leaflets on drugs are available from the Health Publications Unit, No 2 Site, Heywood Stores, Manchester Road, Heywood, Lancashire, OL10 2PZ -  including “Drugs & Solvents – you and your child”, “Drugs – a parents’ guide”, “Solvents – a parents’ guide”.

SCODA (Standing Conference on Drug Abuse), Waterbridge House, 32 – 36 Loman Street, London SE1 0EE. Tel 020 7928 9500.  They have a full list of local services throughout the country.

RE-SOLV (The Society for the Prevention of Solvent and Volatile Substance Abuse).  30A High Street, Stone, Staffordshire, ST15 8AW. Tel 0178 581 7885.  Deals solely with solvent misuse.  They publish leaflets, booklets and videos and know about local agencies who can help.

Personal Safety

The chances that you, or a member of your family will be a victim of violent crime is low.  Violent crimes are still comparatively rare and account for a very small part of recorded crime.  Nevertheless, many people are frightened that they, or someone close to them, will be the victim of a violent attack.

The best way to minimise the risk of attack is by taking sensible precautions.

Out and About

• If you often walk home in the dark, get a personal attack alarm from a DIY store or ask your local crime prevention officer where you can buy one.  Carry it in your hand so you can use it immediately to scare off an attacker.
• Watch your bag
• Keep to well lit areas
• Organise your method of getting home before you go out
• If you think you are in danger, get to the nearest place where there are people – a pub for instance.
• If you have a crime committed against you – always report it
• One person in a group should stay sober,  to look after the others!  

For more information and advice on drugs and alcohol click here