2008 Woodie Awards
Alcohol message will likely fall on deaf ears
Staff editorial
Issue date: 10/15/07 Section: Staff Reflections
- Page 1 of 1
Yet another alcohol awareness week is upon us, and the University of Northern Colorado is doing its part to help students with a major problem in today's society.
While the responsibility lies with each student to be responsible drinkers - most students understand and accept that responsibility - there are certain things society can do to help those of us who can't quite handle that task.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving will be on campus this week talking about drunk driving and feature a family's story about the death of their son. There is no doubt that drunk driving is a serious issue, but perhaps this country does not take it seriously enough.
Any student who attends the golf cart drunk driving simulation this week will have the chance to experience just how dangerous drunk driving is. If society can agree that every drunk driver risks the lives of everyone on the road, then why do drunk drivers get off so easily?
Within six months, a drunk driver can be back on the road after a night of drinking. Granted, the drunk driver won't have much money left after the government takes him for all he's worth, but alcohol is a depressant and last I checked, people without money have plenty of sorrows to drown at the bottom of a bottle.
Drunk driving laws need to be far more stringent and public transportation needs to be convenient enough to the point that people can still enjoy their social lives. The alcohol industry is one of the largest in the U.S. and yet we ignore solutions to the problems that go along with it.
If society is serious about curtailing alcohol problems, which is the perception, it's time people take responsibility both on a personal basis, and with public policy.
Of course, editorials like this are easy to read and write, but they'll probably just be dismissed like every other altruistic message in this country.
Mirror Reflections are the opinion of The Mirror's editorial board: Lacey Cooley, Christina Romero, Nate Taylor, Donnae Wahl , Lindsey Walker and Mitch Woll. Let us know what you think! E-mail us at editor@uncmirror.com.
While the responsibility lies with each student to be responsible drinkers - most students understand and accept that responsibility - there are certain things society can do to help those of us who can't quite handle that task.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving will be on campus this week talking about drunk driving and feature a family's story about the death of their son. There is no doubt that drunk driving is a serious issue, but perhaps this country does not take it seriously enough.
Any student who attends the golf cart drunk driving simulation this week will have the chance to experience just how dangerous drunk driving is. If society can agree that every drunk driver risks the lives of everyone on the road, then why do drunk drivers get off so easily?
Within six months, a drunk driver can be back on the road after a night of drinking. Granted, the drunk driver won't have much money left after the government takes him for all he's worth, but alcohol is a depressant and last I checked, people without money have plenty of sorrows to drown at the bottom of a bottle.
Drunk driving laws need to be far more stringent and public transportation needs to be convenient enough to the point that people can still enjoy their social lives. The alcohol industry is one of the largest in the U.S. and yet we ignore solutions to the problems that go along with it.
If society is serious about curtailing alcohol problems, which is the perception, it's time people take responsibility both on a personal basis, and with public policy.
Of course, editorials like this are easy to read and write, but they'll probably just be dismissed like every other altruistic message in this country.
Mirror Reflections are the opinion of The Mirror's editorial board: Lacey Cooley, Christina Romero, Nate Taylor, Donnae Wahl , Lindsey Walker and Mitch Woll. Let us know what you think! E-mail us at editor@uncmirror.com.
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