When you commit a crime, penalties must be paid. The five students being charged in connection with Eric Blair’s death in October broke the law. Now, they must face the consequences.
A Delta College student, Blair’s body was found in the Red Cedar River last fall with a blood alcohol level of .14. Police said Blair drank beer in Holden Hall with friends who purchased two 18-packs of beer. The group later went to a party near Bogue Street and Waters Edge Drive where they were charged admission.
The students who held the party made alcoholic beverages such as jungle juice available - something that is not uncommon at college parties.
The students being charged with Blair’s death made common mistakes that college students everywhere make. And while they should be penalized for their actions, they should not be made into examples.
Unfortunately, the example being made out of these students probably won’t do much to change the way college students think or drink.
Lawmakers cannot ignore that more people get away with breaking these laws than are caught. Going through a legal ordeal won’t be the deterrent prosecutors are looking for.
Instead, there needs to be an increase in awareness of drinking laws. And while laws need to be enforced, local police and other community agencies should continue to promote safe drinking among college students.
New approaches have to be sought out to curb binge drinking instead of ending it. That’s probably the most effective stance to take on the issue. It would be naive to think underage drinking on college campuses can be completely eliminated.
The five alcohol-related deaths at MSU since 1994 seem to get the message across to students for only a short period of time before returning to irresponsible drinking habits. But how many more have to die before students realize irresponsible drinking can quickly turn into a game of Russian roulette?
Hopefully that number is zero.
It all comes down to people taking responsibly for their actions. College students are old enough to know when they are breaking the law and should be prepared to endure the consequences. Students need to think twice before selling cups at the door to a party or buying alcohol for a under-age friend.
By taking responsibility for one’s own actions, a solution to alcohol-related dangers may be easier to find than most think.
