Watch your drinking this Carnival
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair of The Catholic Commission for Social Justice (10.2.02)
For most people, the word, “Carnival” conjures up a collection of pleasant images. Carnival
is a peak time of socialising and partying. As Mark Twain said: “No well-rounded life can
be complete without a balance of work, love and play.” If well chosen, out pastimes can
contribute much to our well-being. People in TT know how to “play”.
Many people get into the spirit by having a few drinks. It is wise to remember, though, that
the spirit of Carnival does not lie in a bottle. Being safe and using some common sense will
not rob you of an amazing Carnival. I am not lecturing here on whether or not you should
drink. I acknowledge the obvious truism that many people will be drinking at Carnival
time. My message is simple: Think before you drink, and if you choose to drink, make sure
you do so in a safe and responsible manner.
The writer J.S. Mill rightly stated: “Over his own body and mind, the individual is
sovereign”. No amount of peer pressure and so on could “make” you drink excessively.
Respect your body. You can make a difference to your well-being. You have the capacity to
act responsibly. It ultimately comes down to a personal choice. Know your limit and draw
on your reserves to say “no”, no matter what others around you are doing.
You need to be aware of the potential dangers associated with excessive drinking, or
drinking in situations where there is an elevated risk of a negative outcome, such as when
driving or using machinery. Not only does excessive drinking take a toll on your body, it
could expose you to shame and ridicule; put you at risk of contracting sexually-transmitted
diseases, including HIV/AIDS, or becoming an unintended parent; cause you to be mugged,
assaulted or injured.
It could also affect you in such a way that you become violent and aggressive and cause
malicious damage or physical abuse to others, including your family. Also, you may think
you are fit to drive when you are not and the dangers associated with drunk driving should
ring alarm bells in your head from now!
There is nothing worse than getting up on Ash Wednesday morning to find oneself robbed,
surrounded by vomit and empty bottles and feverishly trying to remember what one did
since J’ouvert Morning. What are at stake here are your self-esteem, dignity and selfrespect. A drunk (and at times, even a tipsy person) is not in charge of all his/her mental
faculties and cannot make rational decisions.
A few months ago, when I was in the UK, I went with my friend to visit her 20-year-old
son in a mental asylum. At 19 years of age, he went with some friends to Notting Hill
carnival. He got drunk, did not resist peer group pressure and took illegal drugs while
drunk. Under the influence of drink and drugs, he thought he could fly and jumped off a
stage. No one caught him. Not only was he seriously injured, but he is currently insane. The
cocktail of drink and drugs affected his mind.
Our schools should educate students about the dangers of alcohol consumption and of
taking illegal drugs. Such education should be creatively integrated into the context of the
overall health and lifestyle educational process. We should all reflect on the major health
risks associated with excessive drinking – heart disease, liver cirrhosis, high blood pressure,
stroke and cancer.
It is difficult to state what constitutes “moderate consumption”, because alcohol can have
different effects on different individuals. This will depend on your age, size, sex, health and
how and when you consume alcohol as both the speed of consumption and drinking with
food will affect the absorption of alcohol. Sensible drinking means drinking enjoyably,
sociably, and responsibly. It includes not drinking at all in situations when the effects of
alcohol will put someone’s safety or health at risk. It also means being aware of the risks to
young people of drinking alcohol and setting an example of moderation.
Some countries define “moderate drinking” as the level of drinking that possesses a low
risk of alcohol-related problems, both for the drinker and for others. Consider the following
tips:
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Don’t drink while on certain medications, as some can interact adversely with
alcohol. Ask your doctor.
Plan how you will get home before you even leave the house – whether it be
designating a driver, catching a cab or other public transport, or arranging for
someone to pick you up.
Don’t let excitement, emotion, peer pressure or the fact that you are at an allinclusive fete and the drinks are included in the entry fee be excuses for poor
decision-making.
Discourage other people from driving if they had had too much to drink.
If you are planning to drink, pace your drinking. Take it slowly. Make sure you eat
before and during the consumption of alcohol. Alternate your alcohol drinks with
non-alcohol beverages. Know when to stop. Remember that your blood alcohol
level can continue to rise after you have stopped drinking. Also, excessive drinking
the night before can have an impact on your blood alcohol content the next day.
Don’t selfishly put the lives of other road-users at risk by drunk driving.
Do have fun! Enjoy!