Spring is right around the corner, the luck of the Irish is in the air, and college basketball enthusiasts are ready to cheer on their favorite teams during March Madness. The Department of Public Safety urges you to enjoy your March activities responsibly. 

Alcohol Awareness

It is federal law that anyone under the age of 21 cannot consume alcoholic beverages. Drexel University’s Department of Public Safety does not support underage drinking and encourages all students to find alternate ways to have fun while out with their friends. If you are going to consume alcohol, drinking responsibly is encouraged and expected. 

The following tips are offered for safe drinking:

• Know your limit
• Eat food before and while you drink
• Drink a glass of water between alcoholic beverages
• Avoid drinking games
• Never accept a drink from someone you don’t know
• Watch how your drinks are prepared
• Alcohol and sexual activity do not mix; you must give and receive consent no matter how much you or the other party has been drinking
• Most drugs and alcohol do not mix well; be sure to read warning labels
• Never drink and drive; plan ahead; designate a driver
• Don’t let your friends and family members get into a cab or car service, such as Uber or Lyft, alone

Drinks are not only measured by the size of the container they’re served in, but also by the amount of alcohol in the beverage. A “standard drink” contains 0.6 fluid ounces or 14 grams of pure alcohol, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). For more alcohol safety information, visit NIAAA’s “Rethinking Drinking” website or specific tips for young adults at preventionlane.org/young-adults-alcohol.

Alcohol Emergencies and the Responsible Dragon Amnesty Program

Drexel University's primary concerns are the health and safety of its students. The University is aware that students are sometimes reluctant to seek medical attention in alcohol- and drug-related emergencies out of fear they may face sanctions related to possessing or consuming alcohol or other drugs. The Responsible Dragons Amnesty Program (RDAP) provides amnesty from disciplinary action under the alcohol and drug policies for students or student organizations who seek medical assistance during an alcohol- or drug-related emergency. More information on RDAP can be found in the Student Code of Conduct.

Knowing how to recognize and take action during an alcohol-related emergency could be lifesaving. Alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing, heartbeat and gag reflexes that prevent choking. When someone consumes too much alcohol, these functions will eventually stop. If a person seems fine but has consumed dangerous amounts of alcohol, this individual’s Blood Alcohol Content will continue to rise as the body digests, so it is still important to take action.

If you suspect an alcohol emergency, call 215.895.2222 or 911 right away. Please remember that alcohol emergencies are medical emergencies and need to be addressed immediately. Paramedics and law enforcement are on your side and here to help.

Alternatives to Drinking & Upcoming Events

Is your group looking for alternatives to drinking? The University’s calendar of events provides a plethora of activities for students to participate in: drexel.edu/events/. Or check out some of the following offerings from the Department of Public Safety: 

Presentations on Alcohol-Related Safety: Our Community Relations Officers are available to meet with you and your organization or team to discuss alcohol-related crisis situations. These presentations cover University policies, Responsible Dragon protocol, alcohol and sexual assaults, bystander intervention, Student Code of Conduct, alcohol-safety trivia, and more. Contact our Community Relations Officers if you are interested in scheduling one of these information sessions:  tjc94@drexel.edu or kam556@drexel.edu.

Drexel Police Monthly Meet & Greet: On the third Wednesday of every month, Drexel Police encourages everyone to stop by the Police Substation in Gerri C. LeBow Hall (first floor, near the A.J. Drexel statue entrance) to ask questions, voice concerns, find resources or just say hello. The next event is March 18 from 1–3 p.m.

R.A.D. Classes: The R.A.D. System provides self-defense courses on the basics of hands-on defense training taught by certified R.A.D. instructors. R.A.D. manuals are provided to course participants, outlining the entire physical defense program. Sign up for spring R.A.D. classes now on the Public Safety website.

Two-hour Self-protection Class: If you’d like to start off with a shorter, less physical self-defense class, Public Safety has created a two-hour class providing basic techniques for protecting yourself. Please contact Linda Moran at lmm467@drexel.edu to schedule your group for this new class.

Emergency Numbers
215.895.2222 or 911
TTY: 215.571.4141 

Walking Escorts

215.895.2222

To learn more about Drexel Public Safety, visit drexel.edu/publicsafety.