St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17, in remembrance of Saint Patrick’s death; the Saint of Ireland. The original holiday was a Catholic holiday celebrated in Ireland. The point of wearing green and orange is representing the colors of their flag. Although for the Irish, eating a feast and drinking alcohol is the true celebration.
Today people rejoice by consuming alcohol, going out to clubs, or involving some kind of drug. Those who get anxious for March to arrive are sometimes making it an excuse, so they celebrate the Irish heritage by getting drunk.

Binge drinking is more common within young adults, including college students.

According to Psychology statistics, “over 1800 college student deaths a year to binge drinking, or even alcohol in general”.

Have you ever thought of celebrating a holiday without those kinds of things?

Try spending the day with the family, try playing games, or a questionnaire about St. Patty’s Day. You don’t have to consume alcohol to have a good time, set down the drink and pick up a football, and enjoy the day.

However, if you do decide to partake in drinking this St. Patrick’s Day, here’s some points to remember to keep your celebrations safe:

• Pay attention at night when driving home, keep your eyes open and watch your surroundings.
• Know your limits, bring a designated driver or a friend with you. DON’T BE ALONE.
• Being cautious everywhere is important too, in a car or not.
• Party or club? Make a plan to have a way home or someone to look after you, that way you won’t end up in a different situation.

If you do decide to not drink, there are many things on St. Patrick’s Day you could do that won’t involve getting into trouble or being irresponsible. Think wisely, and don’t forget to wear your green!

Graphic by Nic Gibson