Drinking Too Much?

At Colorado State University last Thursday, a nineteen-year-old sophomore, Samantha Spady, was found dead the morning after a party because she drank herself to death. At colleges and universities across the county, underage drinking is considered to be a normal part of school life. The problem with this behavior is that many students so not think about just how severe the consequences can be. As a repercussion of this death, alcohol is no longer allowed at any parties on the Colorado campus, unless the facility has obtained a license to serve alcohol. This has affected a large number of fraternities and sororities on campus, and obviously a large number of students. Many minors who participate in underage drinking never stop to think about what may happen if they continue drinking long after they should have stopped. Many students seem to view themselves as almost invincible, thinking that nothing bad could possibly happen to them. In reality, we are mortals; accidents happen and people lose their lives at early ages. I am not above this mentality; going out with friends funneling beers and taking shots does not seem like a big deal. But, if you take time out to think about it, it really can be a very dangerous game we play. I understand the seriousness of this incident, but I am not quite sure that banning alcohol at certain locations will help solve the problem. Yes, these students will get into more trouble if they are found breaking the new school policies, but there will always be a way. While it is heartbreaking that this young woman lost her life, students are not going to change their habits because of the loss. Students are not going to stop drinking; there will always be someone to purchase alcohol and a party going on for people to attend. It would be unrealistic to think that students will just stop drinking after this and to think that no minors will be found drinking. I think we need to focus on reminding students just how fragile life really is and educate them on safe ways to go out and have a good time. Go out in groups and pay attention to your own and your friends’ behaviors as the evening progresses. Also, keep in mind what you had to eat the day you go out because if your stomach is empty, the alcohol will hit you twice as hard. Know your limit and stick to it. People need to start watching out for each other – it doesn’t take long to become extremely intoxicated and lose all rational thought. Someone at that party had to have known Samantha, seen how drunk she was, and noticed when the party broke up that she was one of the last people there. Regardless of all this, she was dead for twelve hours before anyone found her. People just need to start caring about one another and things such as thing would be less likely to occur. I am not saying that we are to be responsible for what people around us are consuming, just to be aware of the people around you. Furthermore, if you live in the house where the party is being held, it is especially important that you know what is going on so that you are not held accountable for a horrible incident such as this one. Reading about a student in Colorado may not hit home for everyone here in Plymouth, but once again we need to be reminded that this could happen to anyone. As much as we forget it or overlook it, we are not untouchable or unbreakable. These things can happen to us, and they are bound to effect us in one way or another. Samantha Spady could be your sister, your girlfriend, or even just the girl who sits across from you in class. The scariest thought that should cross your mind is that Samantha Spady could be you.