Below are some great tips to have a safe, responsible, and conscientious tailgate:
- Before the event, develop a clean-up plan. Bring plenty of trash bags. You can also help Sustain Mizzou – an organization who hands out recycling bags before every home game so that you can recycle all your cans and bottles.
- Avoid glass bottles. Don't risk someone getting cut by broken glass and make your clean up easier.
- Have non-alcoholic beverages available and provide food. And if you're drinking, make sure to eat some tailgate food. We've provided some great ideas and suggestions in the Game Day Grub section!
- Remember, you're there for the football! Don't promote alcohol as the center of the event or encourage guests to play drinking games. You could wind up being unable to go to the real game later!
- If you're over 21 and choose to drink alcohol, keep your consumption moderate (0 drinks if you're driving, 1 per hour sets a good pace). Also, if you choose to drink, make sure to designate a driver who has had nothing to drink.
- Remember drugs and alcohol don't mix – even over-the-counter and prescription drugs can be very dangerous when combined with alcohol.
- Obey laws, and don't argue with the cops if they show up.
Illegal Possession of Alcohol
Any person under 21 that purchases, asks for, or in any way receives intoxicating liquor can be charged with a misdemeanor.
Use or Possession of a Fake ID
Any person who is under 21 that uses a reproduced, modified, or altered license for the purpose of purchasing, asking for or in any way receiving any intoxicating liquor can be charged with a misdemeanor.
Open Container
Any person who possesses an open container of alcohol on any street, sidewalk or city parking facility could be charged with a misdemeanor.
Selling Alcohol without a License
It shall be unlawful for any person to sell alcohol, in any quantity, without acquiring a liquor license. If you sell alcohol at or charge admission to an event, the person accepting the money could be charged with selling liquor without a license. Sentences for this violation involve up to two years in prison and/or fines of up to $1,000. If the alcohol is served to a minor, the server could also be charged with supplying alcohol to a minor.
DWI
The legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is .08. Those under 21 could be found guilty of a "Zero Tolerance" violation if their BAC is above .02. Consequences could include: fines, license revocation, classes, community service and jail time, as well as misdemeanor or felony charges on your record.
Abuse and Lose Law
In Missouri, anyone under 21 who is operating a motor vehicle with either alcohol or illegal drugs in their possession can have their driver's license revoked for 90 days. The "Abuse and Lose" law also requires that your license be revoked for 90 days if you commit any of the following offenses: any alcohol related traffic offense; possessing or using an illegal drug; altering a driver's license; trying to use someone else's driver's license. Second and subsequent offenses result in a one year license suspension.
Minor in Possession by Consumption Law
Any person under the age of 21 who purchases or attempts to purchase, or has in his or her possession, any intoxicating substance is guilty of a misdemeanor. A minor is also guilty of a misdemeanor for a "minor in possession" if he or she is "visibly intoxicated" or has a detectable BAC of .02.
Check out http:// www.gocolumbiamo.com/code_of_ordinances for more information about city ordinances.
Dos and Don'ts for the Immediate Care of a Drunk Person
Do
- Stay calm and try not to appear upset.
- Be careful when approaching them for a drunk person can be physically aggressive.
- Before approaching, explain what you intend to do in a clear, firm and reassuring manner.
- Try to keep the person still, and take their keys so they will not be able to drive home.
- Don't give the person any drugs (even aspirin).
- Don't give the person coffee, tea or any other food or liquid.
- Don't give them a cold shower - the shock could cause them to pass out and injure themselves.
- Don't try to walk, run, or exercise the person.
- Don't attempt to keep the person awake.
- Don't try to constrain the person.
- First try to determine whether the person is at all attentive. Are they unconscious? Can they be woken up? Try and call their name. Pinch their skin--because they should have a reaction. Remember alcohol is a depressant and it will numb the nerves so by pinching the skin you can gauge how far along in the 'overdoes' process they are.
- Check for signs of trouble including weak pulse, clammy skin, or poor color. Is enough blood getting to the skin. A sign that you should get help is if a person has pale or blue shin, or the skin is cold or clammy. This person is not getting enough oxygen.
- Check the person's breathing. If they are breathing irregularly with a few breaths and then nothing for awhile or if the person's breathing is too slow or shallow--less than 8 breaths a minute or more than 10 seconds in between breaths--these are signs that medical attention is necessary--call medical help immediately if you have any doubts - remember people can die or have serious medical harm from drinking too much.
- Do not let the person sleep on his back or stomach. Vomiting in this position can cause suffocation or serious infection.
- Turn them over on their side and perhaps prop their head up, bend one knee and extend their arm.
- Do not leave the person alone.
- Do not try to walk the person.
- Do not try to keep them awake.
- Do not give them a cold shower. It simply does not do any good and may result in injury.
- There is not a fast way to sober up. It takes time...about one hour for each drink they have consumed.
- Remember - there are no absolutes/everyone is different. However it is always better to error towards safety. People's lives could be on the line.
When you call for help:
- Identify yourself.
- State your problem and what you feel you need.
- Give your specific location and your phone number (and be there when help arrives, if at all possible).
Click here to go to mybac.missouri.edu!
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