Have a trouble-free Mardi Gras

Dear Editor:

Mardi Gras is less than a month away! Parties, parades, masquerade balls and krewe functions are happening every weekend.

It’s easy to have fun this time of year; but, it’s also very easy to get into trouble. The Bayou Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, a United Way agency, and the Lafourche Prevention Partnership offer these reminders for a fun and safe Mardi Gras.

• Drink non-alcoholic instead of alcoholic beverages. If you stay sober, you’ll be more aware and in control of what’s going on around you.

• Alcohol is a depressant. It causes unclear thinking and impairs your decision-making skills. Loss of these abilities can make you more vulnerable in a crowd, and more susceptible to injury at parades.

• Check with local law enforcement about “open container” laws. Local ordinances can vary in difference communities. And, there may be “drug-free zones,” where no alcohol is permitted.

• Louisiana law (R.S. 32:300) prohibits the operator and passengers of a motor vehicle from possessing an open alcoholic beverage container in the vehicle’s passenger area.

• If you are under 21 years of age, Louisiana law (R.S. 14:93) prohibits your possession of any alcoholic beverage.

• And, of course, DWI laws will be strictly enforced!

• Buckle Up! Safety restraints, including child restraints, are your best defense against impaired drivers. Check with your local police if you have any questions about what type of child restraint is correct for your child.

• Don’t go to parades alone. It’s much more fun, and safer with a group of friends. Most parade routes are safe, if you’re sober. You can always ask a police officer if you have any doubt about the safety of an area.

• Be aware that some “date-rape” drugs, such as “GHB,” are odorless, colorless and almost tasteless. Never leave your drink unattended, whether it’s alcoholic or not. You probably won’t realize that some substance was slipped into your drink. When (if ever) you realize that something is wrong; you may be too incapacitated by the drug to resist your assailant.

• Always follow police instructions! The officers are there to make your Mardi Gras safer. If you have any questions or need assistance, contact the closest police officer. As chaotic as Mardi Gras seems, the police really are in control.

The Bayou Council and Lafourche Prevention Partnership want you to have great memories of Mardi Gras 2008. Staying sober and drug-free can help you to remember those events more clearly.

For more information on alcohol or other drug abuse prevention at any time of the year, call The Bayou Council at (985) 446-0643 or (800) 618-9444.

Kevin P. Carpenter, LPP

Bayou Council on Alcoholism