ANGP?

It means All Night Grad Party. I know, I know, you don香蕉视频直播檛 need a lecture about safety, drinking, drugs, or making smart choices. After all, you香蕉视频直播檙e a senior and about to graduate 香蕉视频直播� you know it all.

I also know that every year a parent is met at the door by a police officer and told that their graduating teen is dead or injured because of an accident at some bush party or a choice made to get behind the wheel drunk or stoned. There香蕉视频直播檚 also the lifetime sentences caused by alcohol/drug-fueled sexual assaults, permanent disfigurement from a crash, fights, or humiliation through video and social media.

Take a second, stop and think. Don香蕉视频直播檛 get so caught up in the build-up and 香蕉视频直播渢radition香蕉视频直播� of all night parties that you lose perspective that you香蕉视频直播檙e graduating so you can start a new life, not end it.

I香蕉视频直播檓 not saying that you can香蕉视频直播檛 party. That香蕉视频直播檇 be unrealistic just make sure you do some planning and be smart. So, here香蕉视频直播檚 a checklist for you.

1. Know who you香蕉视频直播檙e with. That sound so simple and straightforward, but you香蕉视频直播檇 be surprised how many young people will get into cars with a group of strangers all because there香蕉视频直播檚 a common theme of 香蕉视频直播榩arty.香蕉视频直播� Stick with your friends and make a decision together to stay that way. Keep an eye on each other. That香蕉视频直播檚 what friends do.

2. Know where you are. Again, this sounds so simple, but if you香蕉视频直播檙e going to a bush party in the middle of nowhere, for example, the roads all look the same at night and you could easily get lost. Do you have enough gas in the car? Also, will you still have cell service?If you香蕉视频直播檙e out of range then it香蕉视频直播檚 even more important to pay attention to point No. 1.

3. Know who your designated driver is. Every time you go out you need a designated driver. If you have a group of friends then you can rotate and switch it up. If you香蕉视频直播檙e in town, make sure you have someone to call. I don香蕉视频直播檛 care if it香蕉视频直播檚 the third cousin of your best friends brother in law 香蕉视频直播� have someone reliable and mature enough to pick you up if trouble surfaces.

Note to parents/aunties/friends: If you have an agreement with a young person to call you (no matter what time or circumstance) to pick them up, then just do it. Don香蕉视频直播檛 lecture or judge or ground because believe me, next time they won香蕉视频直播檛 call.

4. 香蕉视频直播淣o香蕉视频直播� means no. That goes for everyone 香蕉视频直播� male, female or otherwise.

5. Drugs, to me, are a loud resounding no. If you香蕉视频直播檙e at a party, you need to know what香蕉视频直播檚 going on around you and not be so hammered that you can香蕉视频直播檛 see straight. With so many pills, and even marijuana, being laced with fentanyl, it could be the end. That would really suck.

6. Are you going to the ANGP to be part of the crowd or because you want to? The parties aren香蕉视频直播檛 mandatory and are not a rite of passage. They香蕉视频直播檙e a reason to get drunk, act stupid, and make an ass of yourself. Think about it.

7. Don香蕉视频直播檛 forget it香蕉视频直播檒l all be recorded for prosperity. Do you want your boss to see you passed out? Or your auntie to see you naked and running through the fields. Umm, I hope your answer is no 香蕉视频直播� 香蕉视频直播檔uf said.

8. Find an alternative to the ANGP. Grad committees did this by adding in and supporting Dry Grad. There are many ways to celebrate and have fun with your friends without getting wasted and putting yourself (and possibly others), in harm香蕉视频直播檚 way.

9. Don香蕉视频直播檛 be a statistic. You don香蕉视频直播檛 want to be that roadside memorial tribute with the fake flowers and half filled balloon flopping in the wind. A dead teenager kills all their potential. Get it?

10. Last, but definitely not least have some respect for yourself and others. Stop and think about how your actions, words, and choices are a reflection of who you are and how they can affect another.

Have fun, but be safe.

Faye Arcand is a freelance columnist living in the South Okanagan.