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Safe Grad cancellation raised risks

Re: Safe Grad ruinedTo many grads at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School, myself included, the graduation ceremony and banquet was only a small part of our hyperactive day.

Re: Safe Grad ruined

To many grads at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School, myself included, the graduation ceremony and banquet was only a small part of our hyperactive day.

The event that was on most of our minds (and kept us awake during the long speeches) was Safe Grad. The event would have been at an undisclosed location, well supervised, an EMT first-aid on site, a bus to and from, a buffet of food, Kraze DJs, and much more.

Unfortunately, this year, the event was called off unexpectedly when the liquor board made it clear that if underaged graduates were given alcohol by a parent or guardian, they would be fined and/or arrested.

This news was not only a saddening blow to the parents, who spent countless hours arranging and organizing the event, but also to the graduates.

The RCMP and the liquor board being present at our event was not a comforting thought, so the parents did the only thing that seemed right and cancelled Safe Grad.

Now we were left scrambling to get everyone together so we could celebrate.

We were in more danger than ever, unsupervised, some of us driving, and ready to party.

This also meant that parents were left worrying at home, unsure of their kids’ safety.

What if something had happened?

Would the liquor board feel justified if someone got hurt or killed?

Understanding that the law clearly states that a person must be 18 to consume alcohol, I am wondering why, if graduates are going to be drinking anyways, can we not do so at a safe, controlled and risk-free event?

There is a reason it is called Safe Grad.

Madison Pavlick

Red Deer