What is a key harm minimisation strategy?

• A. Pacing the drinking and planning safe transport
• B. Forcing them to drink more to 'get it out of their system'
• C. Encouraging them to mix drinks to dilute alcohol
• D. Ignoring the issue

Answer: (A)

Pacing drinking and planning safe transport is a practical harm minimisation approach. It focuses on reducing risk while the person is using alcohol by slowing how fast they drink and making sure there’s a safe way to get home or travel, which lowers the chances of dangerous situations like driving under the influence, accidents, or getting into unsafe trouble. This shows how harm minimisation works: you implement real, achievable steps that lower harm even if drinking continues.

The idea of forcing someone to drink more is unsafe and dangerous; it increases intoxication and medical risk instead of reducing harm. Encouraging mixing drinks to dilute alcohol isn’t a reliable safety method and can mislead about impairment. Ignoring the issue doesn’t reduce risk either and leaves the person vulnerable.