As South Africans prepare for the Easter long weekend, the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) is urging people to enjoy the festivities, but in a responsible manner.

Through the ‘Go mild, not wild this Easter’ campaign, SANCA encourages responsible drinking and for people to be aware of the dangers around alcohol consumption.

ALSO READ: SANCA campaign to curb alcohol abuse

‘South Africa has developed a culture of using alcohol to mark any occasion.

‘This is particularly true of the Easter festivities (although not limited to).

‘Family gatherings, traditions and celebrations have taken the level of alcohol consumption to incredible levels within the country.

‘The high rates of alcohol consumption lead to risky behaviour on all levels, including drinking and driving and risky sexual behaviour,’ the organisation warns.

Here are some tips to help you Go mild, not wild this Easter:

• Don’t drink for the sake of getting drunk. This implies that you are not in a logical frame of mind, and will not know when your limit has been reached

• Don’t drink if you are on medication

• Don’t mix your drinks – stick to one type

• Don’t leave your drink unattended

• Make sure you eat before you drink and during a party or occasion

• Keep track of how much you are drinking. If you are with a group of people, then who is looking out for you or protecting you if you cannot protect yourself?

• Drink a soda drink/water/non-alcoholic beverage between alcoholic drinks

• Plan ahead and know how you are getting home. Remember that just one alcoholic beverage alters your perception and reasoning. Don’t drink and drive. Rather take a taxi-cab to the event and then home again afterwards

• REMEMBER that after one unit of alcohol you are legally over the limit to drive a vehicle. Doing so could land you in jail, the hospital, or even the mortuary. Rather use a taxi-cab.

• Create a ‘buddy system’. Your buddy is there to look out for you, to protect you, to get you home safely. A sober buddy is perhaps the most effective safety net, except for abstinence.

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