A drinking game that's making the rounds confers "wizard status" on anyone who consumes enough cans of beer to exceed their height, but a health expert suggests this kind of binge drinking is anything but wise.

The game is played at so-called "wizard stick" parties and the rules are simple. Every beer that is consumed is taped to the one before it. The beer cans stack up and form a column, which is carried around for the night.

The person whose staff exceeds their height wins, and obtains "wizard status." (When the sticks reach a certain height, they often curl over, resembling a wizard's staff.)

New York-based photographer Patrick O'Dell has documented such parties on his popular photo website, epiclylaterd.com.

He said he first saw the parties in a skateboarding video but has attended several in the past year.

"When everyone would gather around the campfire, we'd call it wizard's council," O'Dell said. "You had to get help to drink your beer by the end. Somebody would hold on to the end and lift it up."

He claims a beer company that advertises on an online skateboarding show he hosts became excited by the idea and wanted to somehow use it in promotions. However, laws forbid alcohol companies from promoting excessive drinking.

"They were like 'Why didn't we think of that? That's the best idea,' until it dawned on them that it's against the rules," he said. "You can't be like 'Binge drink! Become a wizard!"'

A study conducted in Ontario between 1996-2005 by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found the demographic that tends to take part in wizard stick parties -- males between 19 and 29 -- appears to be the same as the group that is most likely to drink to excess.

That group had the highest percentage of people surveyed who admitted they drank more than five drinks on one occasion on a weekly or monthly basis.

"It's a particularly vulnerable group and I'm sure the drinking games don't help," said the centre's senior scientist, Norman Giesbrecht.

In some cases, binge drinking can lead to serious problems such as liver damage, permanent brain damage or death from severe dehydration.

Giesbrecht said he's concerned about the social consequences of binge drinking such as fighting, drunk driving, sexual violence and unprotected sex.

"All these things are related to heavy drinking and binge drinking," Giesbrecht said.

In August, a 20-year-old man from Burnaby, B.C., died after drinking 10 beers and then chugging a more than 550-mL bottle of whisky on a bet.

Andrew Drury of Vancouver has attended and hosted several wizard stick parties, including one for his birthday.

He said the parties' inspiration from wizardry stems from heavy metal culture, which is closely associated with sorcery -- and drinking.

"Most people that are into wizard sticks are probably into dark spirits and heavy metal," he said, adding that it's also popular among skateboarders.

Richard Smith from Simon Fraser University's School of Communication said these type of themed-parties are about creating an identity, which is generally important to young people even if it means engaging in dangerous activities.

"There's a visual element that's not present in many drinking games," he said. "There's something you can have your picture taken with and post on the Internet."

Giesbrecht said binge drinking is on the rise in Canada and with all the risks associated with the pastime, it's a serious concern."

-CREDIT:  TheSpec.com