Safe n’ Sober is not as effective as it has been made out to be. Despite the comforting title and it being tradition, AHS seniors might be in more danger than we think. How Safe and sober are the students of Arcata High School?
Safe n’ Sober was created when parents decided to take initiative to make a sober graduation celebration for seniors. This event has auctions and games that were made possible through fundraising and a collective volunteer effort. However, it does have its flaws and its effectiveness has been continually questioned.
“It is definitely going to be a fun event and might keep most seniors from drinking graduation night, but I think people will probably just go out and party and drink other nights,” senior Madyson Nelson said. Her statement sheds light on how so much money is poured into one night, as opposed to the funds being spread out for a wider effort. There are alternative methods to promoting safety and sobriety during exciting times that would arguably have more success than the system that is currently set up.
“What if we used that fundraising to give away a certain amount of money to every student who could test negative for alcohol at the end of each day? That way, theoretically, students would stay sober the entire week,” Senior Fiona Engleman said.
If there were a large amount of money on the line, students would feel much more enticed to stay sober.
There was talk about Safe n ‘Sober as early as 1990, and by 1992, Safe n’ Sober had come into existence. 2025 will mark its 33rd anniversary. Taking into account that this event was created and thought up so many years ago, it is only fitting to imagine that there are nuances and changes that must be made.
2025 might be a time when completely transforming this event is desperately needed. Deaths happen every year due to drinking and driving, and because of the excitement and large events going on this time of year, it entices students to do things they wouldn’t normally do or participate in. About 350 teens die every year in California from alcohol, and dozens of teens have died within the last ten years due to drinking and driving. There are countless articles over the years about fatal car crashes, the common denominator being alcohol. Whether it’s drinking and driving, alcohol poisoning, or homicide, Humboldt County is most definitely no exception.
More intense and thorough education on alcohol and substance abuse needs to be taught. It is a topic that is not talked about enough; this lack of awareness leads teens to believe that awful and tragic things don’t happen often and that they are the exception. ‘It’s not like it will happen to me.’ mentality. This way of thinking turns into fatalities. “Arcata High School needs more awareness around alcohol and drug abuse,” senior Grace Humphreys said. “If some of that money could be put towards guest speakers, that might increase the number of people who decide against alcohol or at least encourage safe drinking practices.”
These students are sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, and teammates; we need to keep our community safe. Without proper prevention measures, you and your family might fall victim to such tragedies. Don’t let it be your child, your sibling, or your best friend.