Those who act responsibly by lining up an underage designated driver run the risk of getting them in serious trouble.

Last November my sister was the designated driver for a party she attended. After dropping off an arguing couple, she started the drive home and was stopped by flashing blue lights. When the officer approached the vehicle, he asked my sister about the six-pack of beer in her backseat. My sister was 19 years old at the time.

It turns out the couple didn’t realize they had left some of their beer in her car. My sister had to wait, mortified, by the side of the road while the police officer searched her car. A $250 fine and 30 day license suspension later, my sister has transportation of alcohol by a minor on her record.

The law regarding transportation of alcohol by a minor states that “no person under the age of 21 shall transport alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle except in the scope of their employment or at the request of their parent.”

Individuals between the ages of 18 and 21 don’t usually work a job involving the distribution of alcohol and are often independent of their parents. College students make friends of varying ages; most use alcohol — sometimes in excess. If a 21-year-old friend needs a ride to the store to pick up beer for them, odds are you won’t say no.

As the law stands, the driver is usually the only person charged with a criminal offense. If the sober driver is charged with transportation, the buyer should also be charged with supplying.

But that’s not fair. You don’t know for sure if the buyer is buying for the driver. Not everyone brings a car to campus. Maybe the buyer just needed a ride to the store and all they had in the vehicle was a six-pack and a bottle of wine. There’s no way to determine for whom the alcohol was purchased.

A friend of mine from high school is a fraternity member. He agreed to drive some of his brothers — all of whom were of age and had already been drinking — to the store to pick up more alcohol. He was pulled over and subsequently charged with transportation of alcohol by a minor. The alcohol was confiscated even with people of age in the car.

Last year a student died after falling down some stairs at a party, possibly because no one wanted to risk police intervention by calling an ambulance. The university looked into a policy of amnesty for underage drinkers when they call an ambulance. The idea is to prevent the same kind of accident from occurring again.

The laws pertaining to transportation of alcohol by a minor, while less serious, present the same problem: If a 21-year-old decides they need more alcohol after they have started drinking, do we really want them driving? After all, “buzzed driving is still drunk driving.”

Designated drivers keep drunk drivers off the road, saving lives. If underage people are worried they will get pulled over and ticketed because the person being driven home has alcohol, what incentive is there to be responsible? No matter the circumstance, if an underage person agrees to be a designated driver they deserve a pat on the back — not a slap in the face.

Anne Chase is a sophomore journalism student.

Tania Riegelman – 20 years old – and Rebecca Kosciszka – 19 years old – were sentenced to each pay a $1,000 fine, and Riegelman must have a substance abuse evaluation within 90 days, according to the district attorney’s office. Riegelman and Kosciszka pleaded guilty Thursday to furnishing a place for minors to drink alcohol, according to Penobscot County District Attorney Christopher Almy.

The two held a party Feb. 15 on Stillwater Avenue in Old Town. Lyford, who was 19 years old, was found unconscious the following morning with a fractured skull. He was transported to Eastern Maine Medical Center by ambulance where he was pronounced dead.

The DA’s office recommended 48 hours of jail time and community service in addition to the $1,000 fine, and based its recommendation on the seriousness of the situation, contact with Lyford’s family and the “cooperation that both the defendants gave to police after the incident happened.”

Almy advised students to think about the consequences of similar parties. “That was a pretty free-wheeling wide-open alcohol party,” Almy said. “There are dangers to it. … If they get caught they are risking their careers.”

Tionna Baldwin, a UMaine student and friend of Lyford, responded to the plea via e-mail. “I went to high school with Tania Riegelman, and she and I have been friends, and while I cannot blame her for Dylan’s death, I’m glad that they plead guilty, because I do feel that there was something that could have been done, that clearly wasn’t. I hope that the courts don’t give them the maximum punishment because I know how hard it was for them to deal with [Lyford's death] just as any of the rest of us, but having closure to this and knowing there was a repercussion for the actions of that night is relieving and does help the grieving process. I wish them both the best and my regards still go out to the family. Even after four months he is still missed and thought of every day,” Baldwin said in an e-mail.

“I don’t believe the University of Maine has a worse problem than other campuses of a similar size when it comes to alcohol-related incidents,” said Director of Public Safety Chief Noel March earlier this year. In his opinion, UMaine has more effective policing systems in place than most colleges, but he said underage consumption is still a problem. Last fall there were 147 instances of alcohol possession by a minor on campus.

“And the lion’s share of drinking goes on off-campus,” March said.

There were 36 alcohol-related ambulance transports on campus last semester, and they weren’t just for overdoses. Drunk students accidentally cut themselves, twist ankles and worse.

The death of 19-year-old UMaine student Dylan Lyford on Feb. 15 was partly due to alcohol. Lyford died of complications due to a skull fracture after falling down some stairs.

Not all the transports were UMaine students. Visitors, whether friends or locals, sometimes cause problems, said Maida Cordero, community coordinator of Balentine, Colvin, Estabrooke, Penobscot and Stodder halls. March agreed.

“They don’t have as much vested in this community. They’re not paying a nonrefundable tuition … and they don’t have to go to class on Monday,” March said.

Nor does alcohol’s influence stop at injuries or drunken shouting.

“Of all the offenses we see on our campus, the fuel in the tank is the excessive and irresponsible use of alcohol,” March said.

He listed off common crimes such as domestic violence or car break-ins and cited reckless drinking as a frequent factor for them.

“They know what they’re doing; they just don’t care,” March said.

The Residence Life staff tries to curb overt drunkenness.

“I’m not looking to bust people,” Cordero said. “But if they’re being disruptive, that’s a problem.”

She said drunks are often found because of a noise violation. If the drinking students are underage, Public Safety is called.

“It’s important to have a sober friend watching your back,” said Kylie Cole, clinician and coordinator of prevention at Cutler Health Center.

Cutler offers free, confidential alcohol counseling.

“If people come here, it’s because they want to,” Cole said.

A concerned friend or roommate most often approaches counseling services for advice. Cole implored students to watch out for each other and said the first and most effective defense against alcohol poisoning is friends, a sentiment echoed by March.

If a student is charged with an alcohol offense, they are referred to the Alcohol and Drug Education Program, headed by Lauri Sidelko. ADEP takes a proactive stance on the issue.

“Alcohol is our job,” Sidelko said.

She runs several activities on campus to educate students about alcohol, including Beer Goggle Wii and Mocktail Thursdays. ADEP works with faculty and the dorms to get the word out about basic alcohol facts, like alcohol-content per drink and how much it takes to overdose.

Eighty percent of underage college students nationwide have drank alcohol, according to Sidelko.

“[As long as] they choose to drink, they know what they’re getting into – that’s our major goal,” Sidelko said.

Though the overall volume of alcohol consumed per person has risen over the past decade, drunk driving has decreased.

Fraternity Alpha Delta and sorority Gamma Sigma Sigma offer the Late Night Local shuttle that drives around campus Friday and Saturday nights, supplying anyone they see with a free ride.

“There are more taxis in Orono and Old Town than there are squad cars,” March said. “There’s no excuse for driving drunk.”

Students are often reluctant to call for help for fear of getting themselves or their drunken friend in trouble for underage alcohol use, explained Sidelko. She, March and Cole all stress the importance of getting help despite the consequences, which are fairly light for first time offenders.

“Never hesitate to call 911,” March said.

A medical amnesty program UMaine is considering implementing in the fall would protect underage students from negative repercussions if they call Public Safety while intoxicated.

In the seven years March has been on the force, there have been three alcohol-related student deaths.

“And that’s three more than I want to see,” March said with a sigh.

Fast-forward to a few years later. I had my two best girlfriends in the car with me, and all I can remember is one of my friends screaming, “White line, Jaime! White line!” Turns out I had gone over the white line and into a ditch, made a full 360-degree turn and kept driving erratically until we got home. I could hardly look my friends in the face, because I knew how close we had come to dying.

Fast-forward again to my 19th birthday party where I woke up naked in my bed and could only remember a glimpse of someone leaving my bedroom. Turns out my friends had put me to bed fully clothed, and while everyone was asleep, I was raped while unconscious. There are many more stories just like this, shared by thousands, and I write this piece in homage to the sad stories related to drinking. In particular, I write this in response to the tragic passing of Dylan Lyford.

I am not here to lament what drinking does or to tell anyone how to make decisions, because I would be telling you to do what I say and not as I did. All I hope is that all the sad stories related to alcohol resonate with readers so they can start to tell their own. I just went first. Whether you knew Dylan or not, I beg you to take a mature moment and share your stories. Not for laughs. Not to be the cool guy. Simply to admit aloud that America’s youth has a drinking problem. Add up all your stories, and it becomes ironically sobering.

Bad stuff happens to those who drink too much. And as you can see, you never know what’s going to happen until it happens. Alcohol was not forbidden in my house, but my European father detested stupid drunkenness. Alcohol, he said, is there to open our minds and let loose our tongues for philosophy. Alcohol is not meant to be chugged, bonged and drunk until we puke and pass out.

Why do we do it, then? My answer was probably the same as yours: Drinking is fun. I am now in my 30s, and I think my father wise. The fun I have is limited to the perfect buzz I get after a few that gets me philosophizing, telling jokes or laughing until I pee my pants. But, it’s fun. That is the extent, though, because I know what too much drinking does. Take a moment, talk with your friends and admit that drinking is OK. But the way in which many drink is not OK. It’s serious, and it needs to be talked about. Not by your elders, not by your teachers, but by you and your drinking buddies.

Jaime Larese is a graduate assistant in the Residence Life Department.

Lyford, 19, of Milo, Maine, was found unconscious Sunday, Feb. 15 at 10:35 a.m. before being transported from a Stillwater Avenue address to Eastern Maine Medical Center by ambulance, where he was pronounced dead, according to Old Town police.

“He was found at the base of the stairwell in the interior of the building,” said Detective Tom Adams of the Old Town police. “Nobody saw him fall.”

Adams said people found Lyford at 2 a.m. Sunday. He said he was unsure if alcohol was involved, and the blood alcohol test is expected to come back sometime next week.

“I was told that he had been drinking,” said Robert Dana, vice president for Student Affairs. He heard from a student that “there was a lot of alcohol involved, and he had fallen down the stairs.”

Tania Riegelman, a friend of Lyford who lives on the second floor of the building where the incident occured, said he fell.

“It was an accident, but there was a party,” Riegelman said.

James Ferland of the State Medical Examiner’s Office said the cause of death was cerebral contusions and edema due to a skull fracture.

Lyford was a first-year student who lived in Somerset Hall. “He was studying engineering, I believe it was chemical [engineering],” Dana said.

“Any case that involves alcohol is a case that puts students at great risk,” Dana said.

Lyford’s friends say he was a happy, helpful person.

“Dylan was my brother and my best friend, and he was an incredible person. I have a hard time remembering the last time I saw him sad,” Lyford’s brother, Doug Lyford stated in an e-mail.

Doug Lyford described his brother as smart and witty, saying everyone who met him liked him.

“It is difficult to find the right words right now, but I just hope that everybody tries to take something positive away from this. I want everyone to take a piece of Dylan’s philosophy with them and just be happy,” Doug Lyford said.

Samantha Graham met Lyford through her roommate and became friends with him.

“He was the kind of kid that you could always count on for a cheerful spirit and no matter the mood you were in, it instantly changed as soon as you saw his bright, smiling face,” said Graham, a UMaine student. “I remember a million times coming back to my apartment and being in a terrible mood after practice or having a bad day, and as soon as I saw Dylan, it was like nothing had happened and the whole day had been erased. I was so glad whenever I would see his dorky blue and silver car with stars in my driveway, and I would get so excited walking into the room knowing he was there.”

Graham hopes people take something positive out of Lyford’s death, “and realizes that Dylan wouldn’t have wanted people to sit around and cry for him, he would have wanted us to laugh and remember all of the good times and memories that we had.”

Friend and student Tionna Baldwin agreed.

“Dylan was the kind of person that lit up a room with his personality. I’ve seen him every day so far since we’ve started college, and since he’s been gone life hasn’t been the same,” Baldwin said. “… Dylan was such a cute person and he had such a long life ahead of him. He was capable of so many things and it is a real tragedy that our world has to go on without him.”

Mary Duncan also said Lyford was a good friend.

“Dylan was one of the greatest guys I know. If I was ever in need of help, physically or emotionally, I knew Dylan would be there. He was so full of life and never turned down a challenge,” said Duncan, a second-year early childhood education student. “Dylan was a person you could always lean on in a time of need and know that you were always going to be taken care of,” she said.

Robert Dana, vice president for Student Affairs said he heard from a student that “there was a lot of alcohol involved, and he had fallen down the stairs.”

At parties, it is often difficult to tell the right thing to do when a friend gets too drunk. Sometimes you risk having the friend, and maybe the caller, get in trouble – in addition to having to go through the difficulty of calling police, an ambulance, etc. It can be scary, and who knows? Maybe your friend will sleep it off. Or maybe not.

Other schools enforce mandatory alcohol education courses for first-years. Alcohol and Drug Education Programs on campus teaches some campus groups not only the science of being drunk but also what signs to watch out for in a drunk friend and what to do in different situations. Perhaps the University of Maine should consider instituting a mandatory alcohol education course – even if it happens just for one day of orientation – to be proactive and prevent future tragedies.

Hospital amnesty to protect students who do the right thing by calling 911 could also help. As it stands now, if a 20-year-old who had drank a little called 911 for a friend who was also underage and dangerously drunk, both of those students could get in trouble for underage drinking. This fear may prevent some students from calling for help when it’s the only safe choice.

“He fell down,” said Tania Riegelman, who lives on the second floor of the building Lyford died in. Riegelman was a friend of Lyford.

“It was an accident, but there was a party,” Riegelman said.

“I was told that he had been drinking,” said Robert Dana, vice president for Student Affairs. He heard from a student that “there was a lot of alcohol involved and he had fallen down the stairs.”

Lyford was a first-year student who lived in Somerset Hall. “He was studying engineering, I believe it was chemical,” Dana said.

According to Riegelman, an autopsy is being performed Feb. 16.

“Any case that involves alcohol is a case that puts students at great risk,” Dana said.

“Dylan was my brother and my best friend, and he was an incredible person. I have a hard time remembering the last time I saw him sad,” Lyford’s brother, Doug Lyford said in an e-mail.

Doug Lyford described his brother as smart and witty, saying everyone who met him liked him. “It is difficult to find the right words right now, but I just hope that everybody tries to take something positive away from this. I want everyone to take a piece of Dylan’s philosophy with them, and just be happy,” Doug Lyford said.

“Dylan was one of the greatest guys I know. If I was ever in need of help, physically or emotionally, I knew Dylan would be there. He was so full of life, and never turned down a challenge,” said a friend, Mary Duncan, a second-year early childhood education student. “Dylan was a person you could always lean on in a time of need and know that you were always going to be taken care of,” she said.