Celebrate but be drink aware

LEAVING Certificate students preparing for post-exam celebrations have been urged not to over-indulge in alcohol.

As 59,000 school leavers prepare for the end of a long exam season, many are planning sun holidays.

A drinks industry-funded awareness group yesterday joined parents in advising students to stay together when out at night, to avoid risky situations and to drink plenty of water.

Students travelling abroad should also remember that foreign drink measures are often much larger than at home and that drink-drive limits abroad may be lower.

Most European countries have a blood alcohol concentration limit of 50mg, 30mg lower than in Ireland.

Some doctors claim heatstroke is like having a hangover and flu at the same time and suggest students apply sun lotion regularly.

The advice also includes eating before drinking, not putting pressure on non-drinking friends to drink -- and to respect their decision.

'In the excitement of being away on holiday, it is easy to forget about the possible effects a cocktail of sun and alcohol can have on you,' said a drinkaware.ie. spokesman.

- Katherine Donnelly

Irish Independent