Another Tragedy
This week I read with utter dismay that yet another teenager had lost her life at a party which didn’t have adequate security measures.
Two men also became violently ill on what’s thought to be gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB).
This so-called ‘recreational’ drug has an appropriate nickname of Grievous Bodily Harm.
Escalating Problem
Recreational drugs used to be the domain of people aged 20 and over. Today’s users are getting younger and younger.
Parents must be aware and vigilant. As long as we ignore this problem, teenagers will continue to harm and destroy themselves.
Parties need proper security. Parents and professional crowd controllers can prevent tragedies like this.
Experience
As a former police member and professional crowd controller, I worked many private parties.
I encountered pills, marijuana, liquid drugs and energy drinks (which are far more dangerous than they sound).
With responsible adults supervising an event and observing guests, trouble can be stopped before it starts.
Using clear plastic containers makes it easy to identify alcohol.
Preventing young guests from helping themselves to (what appears to be) alcohol is also vital.
Back packs, sports bags and other large bags often carry large amounts of alcohol to parties. Drugs can be concealed in small cavities.
Solutions
Based on my public and private sector experience, I created a Party Plan Checklist.
Experience has since shown that using this list effectively deters drug use at parties.
I’ve also tabled a legal framework to control private parties.
I firmly believe all these measures are needed to protect young people from today’s deadly dangers.
Naomi Oakley, Managing Director, U-NOME Security Communication Specialists.
