St. Patrick’s Day: You Don’t Need Luck to be Responsible

by | Mar 17, 2016 | Wellness Blog, Winona | 0 comments

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Today is a day to celebrate, but this occasion has ended in tragedy for many due to drunk driving. One life is too many, and I know that Winona has already lost enough students due to alcohol-related deaths. According to Traffic Safety Monitoring, Over St. Patrick’s Day from 2009 to 2013, there were a total of 276 lives lost in drunk-driving crashes in the United States. In 2014 alone, 29 people (28% of all crash fatalities) were killed in drunk-driving crashes over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period. Not only this, drinking also may lead into unhealthy behaviors and actions that you could regret the rest of your life. But, have no fear! If you’re of legal age to drink, being responsible and keeping yourself in check, then you can have a St. Patrick’s Day that you won’t forget! Here a some tips for today:

Note: The information regarding safe alcohol consumption is directed towards students of legal drinking age. Underage drinking is not only irresponsible and dangerous, it is also illegal. Also, a reminder that WSU policy does not tolerate alcohol on university grounds.

You do not need alcohol to have fun!

  1. There are plenty of other alternatives to drinking out there! And you can have fun and be able to not regret it in the morning (and you’ll remember, too).
  2. If you live in any of the residence halls or the East Lake Apartments, find out what your RA/CA is doing in your building to give students an opportunity to have fun besides drinking.
  3. Winona State also provides plenty of club-sponsored events during this week too, to make sure people are being safe and not getting themselves and others hurt. Take a look at the WSU Update for events that are happening.

 Make sure you plan ahead

  1. This sounds simple enough, but it’s often the most forgotten step out there.
  2. If you are of age and plan to go out drinking, please make sure you’re being responsible. Know where you’re going to be, who you’re going to be with and how you’re going to get home.
  3. The rate at which alcohol affects you varies based on factors such as alcohol content, what you are drinking, body weight, food consumption, and how fast you drink. Don’t try to figure out whether you can drive after drinking-you can’t.
  4. Walking home from the bar after a night out partying? That can be dangerous, too. According to the CDC,  out of the 4,735 pedestrian deaths in the United States in 2013, alcohol involvement for the driver or the pedestrian was reported for 49% of these deaths. Where alcohol involvement was reported, 34% of fatal crashes involved a pedestrian killed who had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of greater than or equal to .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL). So, be safe and get a sober friend to walk you home.

Designate a point guard

  1. Make sure that someone keeps track of how much you’ve had to drink.
  2. Alternatively, some people like to keep pop tabs as a check, and I know some people like to take pictures with their phone. Do what will work for you.

Know that police and law enforcement will be present

  1. Law enforcement will be on high-alert throughout the city today, so make sure you obey the law -don’t drink and drive, and don’t let your friends do it, either.
  2. On campus there will be extra security this St. Patrick’s Day too. This isn’t to get you in trouble, this is to make sure people are being safe! It’s a safety precaution.
  3. If you see someone driving drunk, call 911 when it’s safe to do so, and give a description of the vehicle to law enforcement. According to Traffic Safety Monitoring, 1/3 of all crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers, so it is your business. Getting drunk drivers off the roads saves lives!

 

Know who to call if an emergency arises

  1. If you find a friend (or anyone) who is cold, unconscious, and/or unresponsive. Call 911 immediately! Please, don’t wait till morning!
  2. If you live in the residence halls and there is any emergency, please contact the RA/CA on duty phone numbers. They’re trained to help and respond to emergencies. They may be your best bet in most situations. Being an RA on campus, I can speak for most of the other RAs in that we have had enough experience working with emergencies due to alcohol. We’re not scary, and we aren’t out to get you in trouble! If you don’t have their number, just call 911!
  3. According to Winona State University’s Alcohol and Drug Policy, “The University recognizes that various violations of the Student Code of Conduct involve use of alcohol. The University encourages the reporting of conduct violations such as sexual assault, hazing, physical violence, harassment and others and, therefore, the University may choose not to hold students accountable for Student Code of Conduct violations related to alcohol and other drugs when a more serious violation/crime has occurred.”

Overall, make sure you’re being safe, responsible and smart on St. Patrick’s Day today! Again, you do not need alcohol to have fun. But, if you are of age and choose to drink, make sure you’re keeping in mind the items discussed above. Be responsible and safe out there!

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