Deborah Richardson

It was very new to me.

And, you know, I guess as a young 18-year-old, your first reaction is you want to burst into tears.

But then I think your next reaction is, actually, I've got to prove to them I can handle this.

And so it gives you a little bit of a steely resolve.

I don't think it would be part of the curriculum at the Police Academy anymore.

What they were wanting to do was to demonstrate how alcohol affected different people, different sexes, different sizes of people.

And so the sergeant in charge had told us that we were having an Alcohol Awareness Day and he said half of you will be the drinkers and half of you will be the observers.

And then he looked at me and he said, Deborah, I'm nominating you to be a drinker.

Now, at 18, I'd barely had a glass of wine, Sarah.

And why do you think he pinpointed you?

Well, I was the youngest and I was female.

And in those days, I was also very tiny.

So I think it was going to be evident that I would be quickly affected by the alcohol.

And were you?

As you say, you hadn't drunk much before.

100%.

I was completely and utterly drunk and went through every emotion that you can possibly imagine on the day.

So one minute I was crying.

I'd just broken up with a boyfriend.

The next minute I was laughing hysterically.