Staff Editorial
It’s not a secret drinking is a popular pastime here on campus, but it’s important to exercise caution if you choose to participate in such extra-curricular activities. With cold weather quickly approaching, it’s important to remember some safety tips during this time of year.
First, make sure you and your friends are all accountable for each other before the night begins. Don’t stray away from each other if you think there’s a possibility you’ll end up walking alone later. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 599,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 receive unintentional injuries while under the influence of alcohol each year, and being looked after by your friends can be the difference between waking up in your bed and waking up in the hospital.
Some people tend to wander when they drink. Don’t let any friends walk to or home from a party alone. Make sure you or another friend walks with them. Or, encourage your friend to stay with the group so you can all walk together. There is safety in numbers, especially if you plan to walk while drinking.
Aside from the “wanderer,” there is another type of person that emerges from drinking—the “I’m-going-to-do-what-I-want” drunk. This person is noted for their stubborn attitude; they are most likely to leave alone when something goes wrong or they want to leave and not wait up for their friends. Although this friend might be difficult to control, patience and understanding are both important. You don’t want a friend to storm off alone and not hear from them for the rest of the night. Make sure it’s clear to everyone in your group to account for one another throughout the night.
One solution for keeping fellow Bonnies safe is to take turns with your friends being a designated driver each weekend. That way, you’ll have someone sober and conscious who can be accountable for your group of friends, and you’ll have a way to get to and from parties safely.
For students who don’t want to stay sober on the weekends, there is university-offered transportation that can safely take you to and from bars and parites.. One of the benefits of our small campus is that our weekend bus service that can take students to and from off-campus housing in addition to stops on campus. Always encourage friends to use this transportation instead of walking, especially when the temperatures begin to drop. The bus picks up students at the Burton and Graffiti and drops them off various locations on campus.
Although Bonnies know how to have a good time, even during the bone-chilling months, it’s important to have your friends and classmates safe. Never allow your friends to walk alone and always use the transportation provided if possible.
