Oregon Health Authority: Safe St. Patrick's Day and Spring Break Tips

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Published March 16th, 2026

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued guidance with tips for safely celebrating St. Patrick's Day and spring break, focusing on responsible alcohol consumption and transportation. The notice highlights the risks of alcohol misuse, including impaired driving, and provides resources for safe rides.

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What changed

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has released a notice providing guidance and tips for residents to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and spring break safely, with a particular focus on responsible alcohol consumption and preventing impaired driving. The notice emphasizes that alcohol is the third leading cause of preventable death in Oregon and cites 2023 data indicating 200 fatalities in drunk driving crashes. It encourages planning for safe transportation, such as designated drivers or rideshares, and highlights the health impacts of alcohol misuse.

Regulated entities and the public are advised to review the provided tips to ensure safe celebrations. While this is a non-binding notice, it serves as a reminder of public health concerns and available resources like the "Rethink the Drink" campaign and local safe ride programs. There are no specific compliance deadlines or penalties associated with this notice, but adherence to the advice promotes community safety and reduces preventable tragedies.

What to do next

Review "Rethink the Drink" campaign materials and safe ride program information.
Educate staff and consumers about the risks of alcohol misuse and impaired driving.
Promote safe transportation options for individuals celebrating St. Patrick's Day and spring break.

Source document (simplified)

OHA shares tips for safely celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, spring break

Site Navigation Rethink the Drink media toolkit can be found here: www.rethinkthedrink.com/toolkit
March 16, 2026

What you should know

Alcohol is the third leading cause of preventable death in Oregon.
Plan a safe ride home before drinking: a designated driver, rideshare or public transit.
Alcohol misuse is linked to injuries, emergency department visits, chronic disease and impaired driving crashes. PORTLAND, Ore. - As people in Oregon prepare for spring break travel and St. Patrick's Day celebrations, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is offering a few tips for making safe and healthy choices when it comes to alcohol use and transportation.

Alcohol-impaired driving continues to be a serious safety concern in Oregon. In 2023, 200 people died in crashes involving a drunk driver in the state - about 34 percent of all traffic fatalities.

“Alcohol-related crashes are preventable tragedies," said Tom Jeanne, M.D., M.P.H., deputy state health officer and deputy epidemiologist at OHA's Public Health Division. “Celebrations like spring break and St. Patrick's Day can be fun, but it's important to plan ahead for a safe ride home and to look out for friends and family."

Before you celebrate ...

OHA encourages people to take these simple steps to reduce risks:

Plan a safe ride home before drinking—use a designated driver, rideshare, taxi or public transit. In Portland, the Bureau of Transportation is once again offering discounts on taxi, Lyft and Uber rides in the days leading up to St. Patrick's Day (Tuesday, March 17) as part of its Safe Ride Home Program.
Never drive impaired and never ride with someone who has been drinking.
Keep track of how much you drink and pace yourself.
Look out for friends and family members and make sure everyone has a safe way to get home.

Alcohol's health impacts

State and national data show:

About 16% of Oregon adults report binge or heavy drinking, consuming four or more drinks on one occasion for women or five or more for men.
Alcohol is the third leading cause of preventable death in Oregon, contributing to thousands of deaths statewide each year.
Alcohol misuse is linked to injuries, emergency department visits, chronic disease and impaired driving crashes across the state.

Rethink the Drink

Through “ Rethink the Drink," OHA encourages people in Oregon to better understand how alcohol affects their health and safety, especially during times of increased social gatherings and travel.

Alcohol use is associated with a wide range of health risks, including injuries, liver disease, heart disease and several types of cancer. Public health experts say even modest reductions in drinking can lead to better health outcomes and safer communities.

“Small choices, like drinking less, planning transportation ahead of time or choosing alcohol-free activities, can make a big difference," Jeanne said. “Our goal is for everyone celebrating to get home safely."

For more tips, visit www.rethinkthedrink.com.