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Health & Fitness

Stay Safe on St. Patrick's Day

By Lisa Adler

The United States is a land of immigrants and a country where a variety of cultures and heritages are celebrated -- from Chinese New Year to St. Patrick’s Day.

St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17, the day of St. Patrick’s death, and according to Wikipedia, “In the dioceses of Ireland, it is both a solemnity and a holy day of obligation; outside Ireland, it can be a celebration of Ireland itself.”

Masses of people all over the world honor the occasion by observing parades, wearing green and eating and drinking green food and beverages. It’s party time! But for many, the day has become an “alco-holiday” with an emphasis on binge drinking.

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The Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County (UPC) wants you and your family and friends to be safe this St. Paddy’s Day. The roadways can be especially hazardous with many beginning the festivities this weekend.

This month UPC is partnering with more than 30 Fairfax County restaurants to provide their customers with drink coasters that remind patrons to not drink and drive (see Cab or Cell coaster above). Collaborating on this project are the Red Top and Yellow Cab companies, which have been coaster sponsors, and many of our Fairfax County police departments that also will have increased enforcement this “holiday” weekend.

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The coaster campaign is part of UPC’s effort to reduce the alcohol-related crashes in Fairfax County involving youth and young adults. In 2012, some 266 crashes involved alcohol-impaired drivers ages 15-24 in Fairfax County. Nationwide in 2010, 80% of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday drunk driving deaths involved drivers who were nearly twice the legal limit.

Also once again this St. Patrick’s Day UPC partner, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), will be offering its SoberRide program. If you are 21 and older, need a free cab ride (up to $30), call the SoberRide number 1-800-200-8294 (TAXI) from 4 p.m. March 17 until 4 a.m. March 18.

If you are under 21 and partying with alcohol and other drugs, green or otherwise, you are breaking the law. Being under the influence is always risky business and could prove deadly. Please, please, please think twice and be stronger than peer pressure.

Parents, if your children are under 21, please model moderate, responsible drinking behaviors during this holiday. Your children are paying attention to your social behavior, and research tells us that they do hear you when you discuss serious topics with them so make your expectations clear when it comes to alcohol, other drugs and risky behaviors. Provide your children with healthy alternative activities, have dinner together as a family as often as you can (consider starting a corned beef dinner tradition on St. Paddy’s Day) and keep the lines of communication open.

For all of you over 21, you have the opportunity to model a responsible, healthy, productive way of life.

We all want to enjoy a fun and safe St. Patrick’s Day. So celebrate, but do it responsibly if you’re over 21 and DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE. Don't rely on the “Luck of the Irish.” Designate a sober driver or call a cab.

Lisa Adler is the president of the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County and has been involved in prevention and substance abuse work for nearly 20 years.

The Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County is a nonprofit organization with more than 60 community partners working together to keep youth and young adults safe and drug-free. Visit www.unifiedpreventioncoalition.org and www.facebook.com/unifiedpreventioncoalition. Follow the group on Twitter at www.twitter.com/keepyouthsafe

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