Editorial: Better ways to celebrate summer

Linda Hall

Another crate day has been and gone. Apparently it was introduced by a radio station to mark the beginning of summer. Seven years on there are calls to ban it.

I can think of a lot of ways to celebrate the beginning of summer but none of them involve getting so drunk you could end up at ED.

That's what happens. Like it or not drinking alcohol is part of Kiwi culture, add a challenge and you have a recipe for disaster - especially for our young people.

Do we really need a day that is totally focused on drinking - especially at this time of the year?

December is already a month of parties, events, concerts and just generally socialising.
Alcohol is everywhere.

Don't get me wrong. I love social events and I do partake in a wine or two. And yes when I was younger I went to parties and drank too much, however, I've never set aside an entire day for the sole purpose of getting myself blind drunk.

The scary thing about getting so inebriated you don't know where you are is just that - you don't know where you are.

Losing control of your senses can be dangerous.

There are some nasty people out there that take advantage of drunk people. We've all read the stories.

So if you are out and about over the silly season, well anytime really, and you see someone staggering around obviously out of control and alone, don't turn a blind eye, ask them if they need help, call them a taxi, find their friends, or call the police.

It might ruin your night but imagine how you would feel if you walked on past and then read about them in the newspaper the next morning.