Alcohol Abuse

Measuring Standard Drinks

Rationale

Although underage drinking is illegal in Australia, it does not stop many adolescent’s engaging in alcohol use. However it is not the odd drink here and there that is the concern; binge drinking has become far more socially accepted among teenagers. This is especially noticeable among young females and can have serious effects on the body. Binge drinking occurs when someone consumes five or more standard drinks at one period of time. Many teenagers do not know exactly how much they are drinking and what it could potentially be doing to them.

Stimulus Material

Standard Drinks Guide


(Alcohol Laws in Western Australia, 2007)

and...

"Men should drink no more than 4 standard drinks a day, on average And never more than 6 standard drinks in one day. Women should drink no more than 2 standard drinks a day, on average And never more than 4 standard drinks in one day. " (The Australian Standard Drink, 2006)

Syllabus Outcomes

5.6 A student analyses attitudes, behaviours and consequences related to health issues affecting young people.

SLA

Drug Use
- Influences on alcohol use and binge drinking.

Skills

Problem Solving
Planning

Description

- Students are split into groups of 4-5.
- Each group is given five 2lt bottles or water, each with a different coloured food dye.
- Red is for pre mixed spirits (Cruisers, Illusions, UDL’s)
- Blue is for spirits (Vodka)
- Green is for full strength beer
- Yellow is for wine
- Clear is for port
- Students are also given five measuring jugs
- Students are then given a set of questions and scenarios. They are to use the measuring cups and alcoholic substitutes to help them answer the questions by filling the jugs with the appropriate amount of liquor.

Scenarios

If a 15 year old boy had two shots of vodka and three 375ml bottles of full strength beer at a party, how many standard drinks has he consumed?

If a 17 year old girl has two glasses of wine at a restaurant with her family, how many standard drinks has she consumed?

If a 16 year old girl a glass of port before she goes out, then seven pre mixed spirits at a friend’s birthday, how many standard drinks has she consumed?

If a 14 year old girl and her friends find a bottle of vodka and decide to take 4 swigs each out of the bottle, approx how many standard drinks has the girl consumed?

A 17 year old boy has two 375 ml bottles or full strength, three middies of mid strength beer and five cans of light beer at the pub, how many standard drinks has he consumed?

Questions

- Rate each scenario as low risk, medium risk, and high risk.

- Write down next to each, how far above/below each person was in relation to the “on average” amount for men and women, and the “never more” amount for men and women.

- What does this mean for girls and boys who are constantly going out every weekend and binge drinking?

Follow Up Activity

- In pairs, students are to brainstorm ways in which an individual and monitor their standard drink intake so they don't consume more than they are wanting to.