The Peer Health Outreach & Wellness Leaders, also known as OWLs, along with the Center for Health Promotion and Wellness at Kennesaw State University, hosted a Mingle with Mocktails event Feb. 24.
The Peer Health OWLs hosted the event in-house to bring awareness to students about the dangers of alcohol, discussing both the good and bad aspects of drinking games. They also provided ‘mocktails’ as nonalcoholic alternatives to social drinks.
Students participated in trivia pong, a PG version of the traditional beer pong, and learned important hygiene tips to keep in mind when playing drinking games. Melissa Mesman is the peer health educator coordinator, and she advised everyone to have their own personal drinking cup when playing games at parties to prevent the spread of germs.
“Trivia pong was fun,” said Kolade Dare, a junior studying accounting. “I learned a lot and got some clarification on previous misconceptions about alcohol.”
To simulate the effects of inebriation, the Peer Health OWLs set up two lines of tape. One line was zigzag, and the other was straight. Students were given goggles to impair their vision and asked to walk the lines as if they were under the influence. This test is used along with a host of others by police officers to test if a driver is intoxicated.
Blood alcohol content cards were given to students who participated in all the events. The cards, personalized by gender and weight, can be used to keep track of how many drinks can be had before a person falls out of the ‘green zone.’ According to the Peer Health OWLs, it is best to stay in the green zone to balance enjoying the night with staying safe.
Mingle with Mocktails was an extension of Keep Track of Your BAC, an event hosted by the Peer Health OWLs every month. The goal of these events is to encourage students to be safe and educated about alcohol and the effects it can have on the body.
