In my professional dealings with thousands of teenagers at hundreds of parties, I’ve learnt the myriad ways kids handle their ‘hidden treasures’.
When it comes to alcohol, I’ve seen them:
- Bury cans in the ground.
- Strap bottles to their body.
- ‘Pre load’ (binge drink) before entering an event.
- Stuff alcohol-filled zip-lock bags into their bras and knickers.
- Hide booze in toilet cisterns and other fun areas of homes and venues.
- Buy $20 ‘cider bombs’ online to brew 60 litres of 8% hooch (just add juice!)
I really thought I’d seen it all.
Until now.
Now it’s …
tampons.
When a parent told me kids as young as 12 were soaking tampons in vodka and inserting them in various orifices to get wasted, I nearly choked on my coffee!
Surely this couldn’t be true.
To be on the safe side, I did some research and found, to my horror, that in other parts of the world, this is old news!
Even boys are using tampons as ‘vodka enemas’ (also known as ‘rectal beer bongs’).
And the name of this delightful process?
‘Butt chugging.’
As early as 1999, the Oxford Journal noted that this unusual activity carries such ‘benefits’ for teens as:
- Rapid onset of effects.
- Lower alcohol doses required for intoxication.
- The (greatly) reduced likelihood of consumption being detected on the breath.
Last year, a Phoenix Police report detailed that teens were being admitted to hospital with alcohol poisoning via tampon misuse.
I can see why this practice could become extremely popular at alcohol-free parties.
Parents must therefore ensure they have a serious adult contingent to help manage these events.
While I usually recommend 1 responsible parent for every 20 kids, a higher ratio of 1 to 15 can be necessary to stop ‘dry’ events getting ‘wet’ – with particular vigilance required around toilet areas.
While I hate to bear bad news, I strongly believe that forewarned is forearmed.
So, to this end, if you’re planning a party,
be sure you cover your
bases.
Naomi Oakley, Founder, Safe Partying Australia.