Which option best aligns with a party harm-minimisation plan?

• A. Drink only non-alcoholic drinks for the night.
• B. Designate a driver and stay with friends.
• C. Eat beforehand, alternate drinks with water, avoid shots, designate a driver, and stay with friends.
• D. Take shots every 15 minutes.

Answer: (C)

Harm minimisation at a party means planning actions that reduce risk from drinking. The best option brings together several practical protective steps that work together to keep you safer: eating beforehand helps slow how quickly alcohol is absorbed, so you don’t get intoxicated as fast; alternating alcoholic drinks with water keeps you hydrated and lowers the chance of rapid intoxication; avoiding shots reduces the risk of a big spike in blood alcohol levels; designating a driver ensures you won’t get behind the wheel while impaired; and staying with friends provides support and, if needed, help in staying safe. This combination covers multiple ways to lower harm rather than focusing on just one behavior.

The other ideas are incomplete or risky. One option suggests only drinking non-alcoholic drinks, which misses the real-world need to plan for occasions where some drinking might occur. Another promotes consuming shots repeatedly, which can lead to rapid intoxication and higher risk. A plan that includes a driver and staying with friends without additional harm-reduction steps doesn’t offer as comprehensive a safety net as the combined approach described.