Entering Bars and Alcohol Establishments

To enter bars in the United States you will need to show proof that you are 21 years of age or older. You can use one of the following acceptable forms of identification that shows your picture and age when entering a bar.

1. Driver's licenses
2. State-issued ID cards-- can include a non-driving state-issued ID card
3. Government-issued documents with a photo*

*While you may be able to use an ID issued by a foreign government, such as a foreign driver's license, some establishments may not be able to accept this form of identification because they lack the ability to check its authenticity. 

Bar tenders and staff are willing to help you if needed. They can help you find ways to get home safely and help you with other patrons who may be harassing you. 

When going out, remember:

• Go out with trusted friends who will watch your back and get you home safely. You can use the Purdue Safe Walk Program for extra comfort traveling on campus or the Purdue
• Be aware of what is in your drink. Be cautious accepting open drinks from people you don't know. Have friends watch your drink if you need to step away. Ask if there are drink covers available for open drinks or glasses. 
• Eat food and drink water alongside having alcoholic beverages. If you're nervous about fitting in, but need a break from drinking, see if there is a non-alcoholic drink menu available. No one will be able to tell the difference. 
• Have a sober driver or use public transportation to get home. Remember, you can be given a ticket for operating scooters, bikes, and skateboards when intoxicated. 

Hosting a Safe Party

Make sure your guests arrive and leave safely by considering the following:

• Have a pre-set guest list.
• Check IDs at entry.
• Have designated, sober hosts to monitor the party. These hosts should have some level of authority to enable decisions to be made. 
• Make sure you control the access to alcohol. 
• Provide an inclusive environment where people are not judged for choosing to refrain from drinking.

Under the law, you can be held responsible if you furnish alcohol to a person who then causes injury to another if:

• the person who furnished the alcohol had actual knowledge that the intoxicated person was intoxicated at the time, or a minor, and
• the intoxication was a "proximate" or foreseeable cause of the injuries.

• The body's ability to interpret information, react, and make decisions is hindered after consuming alcohol. 
• Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it causes an increased amount of water to be expelled from the body. It is important to remain hydrated if consuming alcohol. 
• When choosing to drink, also choose to eat food or snacks. While no one food will stop alcohol from being absorbed in the body, food can help regulate the speed at which alcohol enters the bloodstream. 
• Alcohol has been shown to impact Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. REM sleep is thought to be crucial to long-term memory formation. Drinking after learning new information could impact your ability to recall that information later on. 
• Explore more physical effects of alcohol here.

• In the state of Indiana, if you're under 21 years of age, you can be arrested for possessing, consuming or transporting alcohol. It's a Class C misdemeanor. If you're intoxicated in a public place AND (1) breaching the peace, (2) harassing, annoying or alarming another person OR (3) endangering your life or the life of another person, you can be arrested for Public Intoxication, a Class B misdemeanor.
• University regulations generally prohibit the personal possession or use of alcoholic beverages in or on University property, regardless of the person's age.
• Purdue's Medical Amnesty Policy creates a pathway for requesting emergency help for cases of intoxication where the intoxicated student, as well as the student(s) seeking medical attention on the intoxicated student's behalf, will be exempt from Disciplinary Sanctions related to alcohol consumption.
• For a complete listing of university alcohol policy, see Purdue's alcohol and other drug policies.

Choosing to Call for Help

• Purdue's Medical Amnesty Policy creates a pathways for getting someone help when they need it. Under the policy, in cases of student intoxication and/or alcohol poisoning that occur on the West Lafayette campus, on the premises of a Recognized Student Organization or at a function sponsored by a Recognized Student Organization, the intoxicated student, as well as the student(s) seeking medical attention on the intoxicated student's behalf, will be exempt from Disciplinary Sanctions related to alcohol consumption.
• The following factors can help guide your decision to call for help, however, if you're in a situation that makes you question whether help should be called, call 911.
  • If the person is unresponsive or has trouble remaining conscious/awake
  • If the person has reduced/slow breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute)
  • If the person has irregular breathing (there is gap of ten seconds or more between breaths)
  • If the person's skin looks blue, grey, or pale

Talking with Others

• Avoid shaming someone's actions. 
• Realize substance use may be a form of coping. 
• Avoid labels such as "alcoholic."
• Express your concerns and be direct, but not overbearing or authoritative. 
• Listen to how they are feeling and offer understanding statements. 
• Use these tips provided by CAPS when talking to someone about their substance use.

Consider Yourself when Caring for Others

• Realize when a situation is out of your expertise and seek help.
• When offering support, don't burn yourself out.
• Never blame yourself for another's actions.
• Don't assume sole responsibility for another. Purdue is here to help. 
• You are not a bad friend for seeking care on behalf of someone else. 

Campus Resources and Support

• If you or someone you may know would benefit from support concerning alcohol or substance use, Purdue's Counseling and Psychological Services offers assessments and different support options. 
• You can submit a Student of Concern Report to request help for yourself or others. You can submit this request anonymously if you choose. You should always call 911 for medical emergencies.

The following statistics are from the 2023 Purdue Indiana College Substance Use Survey. 

• 68% of Boilermakers reported no binge drinking* in the past two weeks. 
  • *Binge drinking was defined as four or more drinks in a row for females and five or more drinks in a row for males within one sitting. 
  • When Boilermakers typically drink they report having a number of drinks that is below the binge drinking threshold.
• Over half of Purdue students report drinking alcohol only 0-2 times in the past month.

• Be aware of what substance is in the vape you are using. 
• If choosing to vape, only use pods, e-liquids, and vapes that meet FDA regulations should be used. 
• Avoid mixing your own e-liquid, as it may introduce you to unintended chemicals once heated by the vape and inhaled. 
• Avoid sharing a vape with others to reduce the spread of diseases and germs.

• Nicotine is addictive and has withdrawal symptoms when deciding to quit. 
• Nicotine increases heart rate and blood pressure and can lead to heart disease. 
• Nicotine can cause several forms of cancer including mouth and lung cancer. 
• The walleyes produced by the liquid used in vapes can cause lung and cardiovascular disease. 

• Weekly vaping can end up costing around $1000 per year.  
  • That's over 120 Jimmy John sandwiches!
  • Or enough to pay for most major streaming services for an entire year!

• 89% of students report never using a vape in the past month. 
• If you choose to vape, know that nicotine, in any form, can be addictive.

If you are interested in learning how to cut back on smoking/vaping, read how the Purdue Pharmacy can help. Open enrollment classes are available to students at $45.

Read about the Purdue Pharmacy cessation program.