Sheriff Fitzgerald: 'Blackout Wednesday' One of the Busiest Drinking Nights of Year

The night before Thanksgiving, “Blackout Wednesday” can be one of the busiest for underage drinking or drinking in general. Why is Thanksgiving Eve a big night?

1. Nearly all Americans have Thanksgiving off. Unless you’re in the food-service industry (and recently, in some retail positions), this is a holiday celebrated across the land. No religious overtones, no need to be from any specific culture — it’s a holiday for all of the U.S.
2. No one wants to entertain the night before hosting a big Thanksgiving meal. With all the effort going into the big day, the night before the turkey is carved is a time for respite and relaxation. Spend Thursday in front of the stove, take Wednesday night off.
3. Everyone is home for the holidays and wants to see old friends. While you are likely to be sequestered with your family on Thanksgiving itself, the night before offers a chance to get out and catch up with others returning to the area you grew up in. Kids are home from college, folks who have moved away return to where other family is, and Thanksgiving Eve is the perfect opportunity to see each other.

Also, the Popularity of Underage Drinking is influenced by many factors:

• Access — Older siblings and college-age friends are home for the holidays, many for the first time since going off to college. They often host social gatherings for their younger siblings and friends still in high school.
• Availability — Refrigerators are stocked with alcohol for family parties, making alcohol available when adults are often preoccupied with holiday preparations and gatherings.
• Time — School is out and teens have plenty of down time to hang out and engage in risky behavior.
• Adult modeling — Adult role models often use the sport of hunting as another drinking opportunity or even time for the first drink initiation.

This holiday season, we all have the opportunity to establish strong family traditions that are not built around drinking, with a few simple steps.

First, take time to divert teen alcohol use by planning and promoting non- alcoholic youth activities.

Second, consider where the alcohol is stocked in the home and ensure it is locked up and monitored to reduce easy access.

Finally, be a positive role model and limit your own alcohol intake.

This Thanksgiving, take the time to be thankful and maintain traditions by focusing on family, not drinking.

Per Chris Fitzgerald, Barron County Sheriff