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Stay safe

Always one to stir up a bit of controversy former Home Secretary, Anne Widdecombe, has proposed a 'name them and shame them,' law on binge drinkers.

Apparently appalled by the number of young professional women who "thought it acceptable to drink themselves into oblivion every weekend," Widdecombe said, "Arresting them and printing their name in the newspapers would bring back the concept of shame - a deterrent to the wilder stages of excess."

Whilst this errs on the side of fun killing madness, it is not untrue that the statistics on the number of A and E admissions through binge drinking are rising rapidly, but are such harsh measures really needed? Not only would passing such a law put extreme pressure on an already struggling British police force, but aside from everything else, why should women who work hard to climb the career ladder be afraid...nay..ashamed, to let their hair down at the end of the week?

Widdecombe's concerns seem to be that women are putting themselves in risky situations and clogging up hospital beds that  could be used for those much more needy than themselves. So, how do we reach a happy medium?

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, set up when 25 year old estate agent Suzy Lamplugh went missing after going out to meet an unknown client (she has never been found and has been legally declared dead, presumably murdered), offers some great advice to help keep you safe and have a good night out.

Plan

Before you even think about getting in that LBD make sure you know how you will be getting home. Make sure your mobile is fully charged and topped up, make sure someone knows where you will be going and roughly when you will be back and put spare cash in a separate pocket so that you know you have cash to get home with. Try to eat before you go out too as this will reduce the effects of the alcohol and line your stomach.

While out

Stay in control of your drinking - never accept drinks from strangers and wherever possible always go to the bar and watch your drink being poured. Never ever leave your drink unattended and don't always assume that those who you are with are safe to leave your drink with. Pace yourself and don't feel under pressure to get drunk - if you feel you have had too much buy a bottle of water and drink that instead. When you are ready to leave try to travel home with a trusted friend and let someone at home know that you are on your way back. (Tip: If I find myself in a taxi alone I call home and make sure the taxi driver actually hears me say that I'm on my way back and how long I will be. If it's late and I know that no-one will be awake I simply pretend to make that call - it works just as well.)

If you feel at risk

Use your voice! Make lots of noise and shout at the aggressor to 'Get Away.' Don't be afraid to draw attention to yourself. If you feel at risk in a taxi get out at the traffic lights if you need to. If they won't stop bang on the windows, scream and shout. Stay in well lit areas and get to safety (home/a police station/ a doorman/ a busy bar or club) as soon as possible.

For more information visit  http://www.suzylamplugh.org/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/st_alcoholsafety1.pdf and remember STAY SAFE!