Graduation fever is set to descend upon Barrhead high school students.
Graduation is a time for students to look to the future, and to remember the days they have spent with family and friends. It’s also a time when most students aren’t necessarily thinking about the present, as they should. Rather, it’s a time of the year when everyone is excited about the future, and plans start to form about that happens after graduation. That why it’s important for our graduates to remember to take care of each other. There are going to be lots of parties taking place, and our youth need to watch out for one another, and that’s a message backed up by the local RCMP.
The most important thing to remember is to plan ahead. If graduates are going to be consuming alcohol, they need to make sure they have in place a plan that will get them home safe and sound. If travelling in a group, one person needs to step up and take on the role of designated driver. Graduation from high school is a big step toward adulthood, and part of that is learning to drink responsibly and learning to look out for one another.
The legal drinking age in Alberta is 18, and that makes it possible to introduce alcohol directly into the high school population. It’s of particular concern to police officers, because it also means alcohol will be served at the graduation parties. The RCMP has received a request to make patrols at that function.
No doubt it will be difficult for officers and organizers to police these functions. It will prove most daunting to keep track of what happens to the drinks after they are sold at the bar. It’s a tough situation, and while graduates of legal drinking age are entitled to have a licenced function, there should be some level of discretion involved. The RCMP has stated they will deal with anything that could come up.
Luckily, the RCMP has said there haven’t been many problems in the past, and the members who have been here for years haven’t mentioned any issues of past graduations. That’s an indication that they, along with the organizers, do a good job. These events are tightly controlled, but the potential is always there.
These students have worked hard all year, and they rightly deserve their time to unwind and let loose. At the same time, they need to respect the laws that are in place, as the RCMP officers who will be on hand just want to ensure that at the end of the day everyone arrives home alive.
The majority of the youth in this community are very mature and very responsible, which is a good indication that Barrhead will get through another graduation in one piece. Officers will do the best they can to make sure the risks are minimized, and now it’s up to the youth to help make that happen.
