RE: ..::MISSING WOMAN IN MICHIGAN::..
Traveler said:
Alcohol does play a part, that's certain. As far as being a party girl goes I'm certain that all of us would agree that no one meant to infer that her going to the party is the sole reason that she's missing. One thing that I cover in personal safety classes is situational awareness; not putting yourself in situations where bad things are more likely to happen.
This means don't go someplace where you'll be in a dangerous situation, alone, and most definitely not drinking in a strange place alone. Whoever drove her there had a responsibility to stay with her until they both got home, IMHO. I'm still praying that she gets home safely, but the longer she's missing the less likely that is to happen. It's a scary world out there and there are some scary people out there who share it with the rest of us.
I ache for her loved ones, her friends and her family. I wouldn't wish this situation on anyone.
As someone who parties (a lot and often with people I don't know or had just only met), I cannot stress this point enough. It's like, Partying 101, and I don't mean that in a sarcastic way. It's simply the truth. There are the 'Three Big Rules' to observe when going to a party:
1) Try to avoid going alone, and if you have to, always tell people where you're going to be. Also, don't stay alone for too long once at the party. Even if the only person you know is the host, it's better to find them every once in a while than to completely lose track of people and yourself.
2) Never accept a drink if you (or a most trusted friend/significant other) didn't get it. There's too many drugs and medications and shit that people can spike your drink with. I know people who mix laxatives in their just because they think its funny. It's really not.
3) Never rely on anyone except a trusted friend to bring you home. Not even yourself. I always tell my friends that if they're going to party and they get shitty wasted, to
call me. I don't care if it's 4 AM; I will come get them. Their life is too great to be placed in the hands of drunk driving or some stranger they had just met. And if you're sober and you see a drunk friend going home with someone s/he had just met, always, always go talk to them before they leave. Stop them. Often times, in the state of being intoxicated, you can't tell that a guy/girl is acting kind of sketchy because everything is just fuzzy for you. Your sober friend will have an easier time spotting the sketchiness. This goes hand in hand with
never leaving your friend at a party, even if you're mad at him/her.
Esyel said:
I didn't mean to try to imply that her decision to go was why this happened. Many apologies if that's what it came off as. It ... was more of (or supposed to be) a mental note to myself. But I suppose re-reading it, that did kinda come off in a slightly bad way. Sorry about that.
I'm hoping you get some good news soon.
I assumed that's what you meant, and I apologize as well. Parties are great and fun, you just have to know how to stay safe!