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Show 15 Hilttop November 26. 1997 Use caution at holiday gatherings by Connie Hanney Substance Abuse Office The holiday season is approaching once again and organizations and fam- ilies are planning their holiday festivities. A lot of time goes into holiday parties, andUheuanticipation of cerebrating gives people a sense of excitement. But for many people what was intended to be a fun and exciting time often turns into disaster. The cause of this will 41 probably be the most commonly adver- i i i i i.: S useu souitc uif riaise tiuii aiuunui. I To those who have problems with I alcohol there is no such thing as a 1 I "friendly" drink. They most often end Sup drunk. I Parents who get involved in alcohol land drugs at a celebration often give their children a distorted view of what holidays and celebrations are all about. "Often times, children are left alone while parents party and sometimes they are plain forgotten. ? Many children today are being neglected and thus taken away from parents on a daily basis because of a parent's abuse of drugs and alcohol. Long time friendships can also be destroyed because of too much holiday "spirit." Arguments can erupt, fights happen and accidents happen which could take a friend's life, or your own. As the 1997 holiday season approaches, take time to reflect on what the holidays really mean. Is it a joy ous time with family and friends or it is a time to overindulge in aiconoi ana arugs, ana leave ' SI bad memories of hostility or bro ken hearts? Will your children grow up with good memories of the holidays or with ones of sadness and anger? As you're planning your holidays be sure to have available plenty of food and soft drinks so all may have a choice. If you choose to drink, do it respon- - ,..,':.-a:--'- by state for offenses All states except Massachusetts and South Carolina, and the District of Columbia, have per se laws defining it as a crime to drive with a blood alcohol concentration at or above a prescribed level, usually .10 percent. Individuals may have their license suspended or another penalty may occur if the BAC is over certain levels in young drivers in 48 jurisdictions. These underage BAC laws apply to drivers younger than 21 except in Wisconsin (younger than 19). In Utah, the legal limit for all drivers, young and old, is .08. Licenses will be suspended for 90 days for the first offense, and driving privileges will not be restored during the suspension. In addition, an offender's vehicle may be impounded or immobilized, the registration may be suspended, or the license tags may be confiscated. Licenses will usually be suspended or revoked driafter a conviction for alcohol-impaire- d ving. But in 40 states and the District of Columbia, the license can be taken away before a conviction if the driver fails or refuses to take chemical test. Administrative license suspension has been found to be more effective because administrative license suspension laws are independent of criminal procedures. states will let some offenders Thirty-fiv- e drive only if their vehicles have ignition interlocks. These devices analyze a driver's breath a and disable the ignition if the driver has been drinking. In 20 states, multiple offenders may give up their vehicles that are driven while impaired by alcohol. Provisions for temporary vehicle impoundment or suspension of vehicle registration or license plates exist in 20 states, and in 9 of these (Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Utah and Virginia), the provisions may apply to first as well as multiple offenders. Some states have provisions for both temporary impoundment and vehicle forfeiture. Because state laws continually change throughout the year, visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's website for updates: http:www.hwysafety.org. .- 'iiiiim -' lem. For $3 to $5 you take a chance of getting a ticket for driving under the influence, once you are behind the wheel of you car. Getting a DUI can cost up to $3,000 or more. This includes lawyer's fees, time in jail, treatment, education, having your car impounded, loss of your driver's license, rising insurance rates, and loss of self esteem and embarrassment which could lead to added holiday stress. If you choose to drink make sure you sibly, and try to limit yourself to a drink. Drinking and driving are a national problem and holiday celebrations are a big contributor to that ongoing prob- - Penalties vary DUI ... a designated driver lined up to take you home, or call a taxi and stay have put. For those of you who are experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs and would like some information about treatment programs and self-heland a coungroups, call Ext. selor will be glad to help. Make this holiday season a pleasant, memorable occasion for yourself, your family and friends. p sofe Recipes provide alternatives to alcohol Lemon slices It's the holiday season and plans often call for parties. But, with parties, comes the question of whether or not Orange slices to serve alcohol. Maraschino cherries f When hosting a remember alcohol isn't Combine cranberry juice and grape necessary to make the party a success, and drinking juice: chill. At serving time, pour shouldn't be the main activity. Also, drinking is a personal choice - no one should be pressured to drink or mixture over cracked ice in glasses. with lemon and orange not drink, or be embarrassed because of their decision. Garnish slices and top with cherry. Know your guests, their preferences and their abilities Makes 5 servings. with liquor. y snacks, since Experts suggest providing Pina Colada increase or crackers thirst. If you see a salty pretzels Perfecto 1 jigger guest has had too much to drink, offer them a place to (112 sleep it off or drive them home. oz.) canned A variety of drink recipes are available creme of that will put guests in a party mood without endancoconut 2 jiggers (3oz.) pineapple juice gering them. 112 jiggers (2 14 oz.) club soda - . w get-togethe- r, non-salt- non-alcohol- ic Mock Champagne 46 oz. can pineapple juice 46 oz. can apple juice 12 oz. can frozen lemonade 12 cup sugar 4 Ice Pour all ingredients over ice in a glass; mix. Makes concentrate 3 oz. (3 Combine pineapple juice, apple juice, lemonade concentrate and sugar. Stir well until sugar dissolves. Store in freezer overnight or longer. When ready to serve, remove from freezer about 3 to 4 hours before using so juice becomes mushy. Break up and place in a large punchbowl and add the ginger ale. Do not add ice. The slushy juice keeps the punch cold. Makes about 40 servings. Cranapple juice can be substituted for apple juice. six-oun- Mock Margarita Punch can frozen lemonade concentrate. thawed can frozen limeade concentrate, thawed 1 cup powdered sugar 4 egg whites 6 cups crushed ice 1 quart (4 cups) club soda Lime slices Coarse salt 12 oz. 12 oz. 12 cup water 12 cup sugar Dash salt 12 cup whipping Sangria Punch 1 quart cranberry juice cocktail 1 cup grape juice Cracked ice cream, whipped 5 cups milk Nutmeg (optional) In large saucepan, combine chocolate and water over low heat, stirring constantly. Blend in sugar and salt: simmer 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool: fold in whipped cream. Refrigerate until serving time. Heat milk to scalding. Place heaping tablespoon chocolate mixture in each cup: fill with hot milk. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Makes 6 to 8 servings. If desired, instant coffee, cinnamon or almond extract can be substituted for nutmeg. 1 Wassail Bowl Whole cloves 1 container, combine lemonade, limeade, powdered sugar, egg whites and crushed ice: mix well. Cover and freeze, stirring occasionally. Remove container from freezer 30 minutes before serving. Spoon 2 cups slush mixture into blender: add 1 cup club soda. Blend until frothy. To serve, rub rim of glass with lime slice, dip rim in coarse salt, and fill glass. Garnish with lime slices. Makes 24 servings. non-met- serving. Party Hot Chocolate squares) unsweetened chocolate bottles ginger ale, chilled In a 1 2 large orange quarts (8 cups) apple juice or cider X 3Tbsp. lemon juice 4 cinnamon sticks Heat oven to 350 degrees. Insert cloves about 12 inch apart, into orange. Pierce orange in several places with a fork. Place in shallow baking pan and bake for 30 minutes. In a large saucepan, combine apple juice, lemon juice, cinnamon sticks and baked orange. Cover; simmer over low heat 30 minutes. Remove cinnamon sticks and orange. Pour into heatd orange in punch. proof punch bowl. If desired, float Serve hot. Makes 16 servings. clove-studde- v"V-- |