With Red Ribbon Week (designed to raise awareness about drugs, alcohol and smoking) taking place this month from October 23rd through the 31st, it seems an appropriate time to address alcohol and drug use in teens. Hayward High School’s own Character Ed club, led by Mrs. Von Arb, has taken a lead on the Red Ribbon Week activities. The official dress up days are as follows:
- Monday October 23rd: Wear red
- Tuesday October 24th: Wear exercise/athletic gear
- Wednesday October 25th: America day
- Thursday October 26th: Hawaiian day
And in the morning on Friday, October 27th, students can pay a dollar to a teacher or Character Ed member to go against the regular dress code and wear a hat for the day. All of the proceeds will go to the Sawyer County Canine Unit. Red Ribbon Week is here to encourage students to ask themselves, as Character Ed’s slogan says: “Are You Red-Y to be drug free?”
Underage drinking and drug use are not new phenomena, but with the newer threat of fentanyl laced drugs becoming much more common as well as people being more aware than ever about the dangers of drunk driving, it makes sense that concern is rising. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health of 2021, 3.2 million youth ages twelve to twenty say they binge drank at least once in the past month, and this data is only based off of those surveyed who told the truth. This news does not bode well, as it should be evident that underage drinking can be extremely dangerous, leading to many deaths each year, increased risk of physical or sexual assault, and just general poor decision making.
Though all this may be true, it is important to acknowledge that underage drinking is something that is going to happen, regardless of laws and measures put in place to stop it. This of course does not mean that the laws or consequences should be lifted, but simply that we do have to recognize some facts of life. Teenagers are in a place of experimentation in their lives, and the facts of social pressure, the often positive portrayal of alcohol in the media, and simple curiosity can drive them to drinking. The general consensus appears to be that teenagers will occasionally (or frequently) make poor decisions regardless of the possible consequences. The best course of action seems to be to make sure that they are well informed and aware of the negative effects, and led toward safer and more responsible choices. Though the best option for developing brains is to abstain from alcohol and drugs altogether, especially with the danger of fentanyl laced drugs becoming increasingly common, if teenagers do make the poor decision to partake in those substances then there are a few absolutely crucial points to get across:
Do not drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you are in a situation where you are impaired but need to get home, call a trusted adult to come pick you up. Never drink and drive, and do not get a ride from anyone who has been drinking. If you or a friend are in a dangerous situation or having a medical emergency, call for emergency services. It is much better to be alive and in trouble then dead. Happy Red Ribbon Week, and now here’s hoping for a fun and safe Halloween!
