#48. Consent and Alcohol/Drug Use

This Conversation Will Help You…

1. Discuss how alcohol & drug use impairs decision-making ability
2. Understand alcohol could be used as a way to lower boundaries & inhibitions
3. Understand that someone who is intoxicated cannot give consent

Think About This First

• Many conversations about drugs & alcohol deal with "watching your drink" - this conversation focuses on the ways that people can and do use drugs and alcohol to facilitate an assault, and that that behavior is not okay.

Having the Conversation

Start here:

I know you know that drugs or alcohol can impact someone’s ability to make a decision. How much do you think it can impact decision-making? Does it depend on the situation?

We have strict laws about driving under the influence. We also have laws about whether someone can consent to sexual contact when under the influence. Have you heard this before? What have you heard?  

Continue:

What are the ways that someone could be impacted in a sexual situation if they are under the influence?

We know that drugs and alcohol lower inhibitions - do you think that there are people who get others intoxicated on purpose? Why would they do that?

What would the benefit be to them, to have a partner or friend who is intoxicated?

Have you seen this before in movies or on TV? Have you seen this in your life before?

Keep Talking:  

If someone is intoxicated, they can’t legally give consent for sexual contact. That’s what our law says. Have you heard that before?

What do you think about it? Do you know people who would be considered in violation of that law?

Why would the law be so hung up on people being sober in order to give consent?

Do you think true consent is possible if the person is intoxicated?

Does it depend on the situation? How so?

If this is illegal, why do you think it's portrayed so much on movies and TV?