Death by Pill
By Kate, age 19, New Hampshire
Sweet Designs Staff Intern
Sweet Designs Featured Writer
By Kate, age 19, New Hampshire
Sweet Designs Staff Intern
Sweet Designs Featured Writer
In mid-October, someone I went to high school with suddenly died. He was only 20 years old.
We weren't friends on Facebook. We weren't even real friends at any point in our lives. In fact, we were the complete opposite. In middle school, he was a bully to me. In high school, though, I almost never saw him. We had no classes together and I practically never saw him in the hall. He was just another face in my graduating class in June of 2009. And after that, I never thought about him. I went on with my life, he went on with his, and that was that. Like most high school kids, everyone went their separate ways.
It wasn't until one night in October, a high school friend contacted me on Facebook. He was asking about Kenny*. What had happened to him? I didn't know that anything had happened to him, but apparently it was all over Facebook that he died. I didn't have him as a friend, and I deleted almost all of the "friends" I went to high school with. I didn't talk to them, and most of them I didn't like. So the "all over Facebook" didn't exactly apply to me.
I did some Googling, but didn't find anything. No one seemed to know what had happened.
The next morning, however, I got a text from my friend. "Pills."
The day after that, his obituary was released. There was no mention on how he died, of course, but according to other people - word travels fast - he was offered a pill at a party and he took it. He didn't wake up the next morning.
Of course, I don't know the situation well. He could have been drinking when he took the pill, or it could have backfired in his system. Whatever the case may be, he took this pill, and it killed him.
I'm sure you've heard it everywhere and from everyone, but these things cannot be stressed enough. People don't even realize the harm a little pill can do, and in this case, it killed a beloved family member and friend.
So, if you ever attend some crazy party, keep a few things in mind:
1. If you don't plan on drinking, bring a water bottle with you. DO NOT accept a drink from anyone, even if it is just "water." Drugs and alcohol can easily be added without you even knowing. So, to be safe, bring your own beverage, and never put it down! This is the same for alcoholic beverages - if you plan on drinking, bring your own, or something from a friend, and never let that bottle leave your sight.
2. Do not accept pills! It may seem like common sense, but some people just don't realize the effects it can have. Even if it is someone offering you Advil, you can never be completely sure, and you never know how a strange pill can affect you. You could be allergic to it, or it could be deadly when mixed with alcohol. So, just don't take any pills! If you need Advil, bring your own, and be sure to take it with water! (Bring that water with you! Remember number 1!)
3. Be careful! I'm not telling you that you can or can't drink, and I'm not here to lecture you on drugs like pot, but whatever you do, be wise about it. If you drove to the party and you know you're going to be drunk, have a designated driver or plan to stay the night. Never leave the party alone or intoxicated in any way!
4. Bring a friend. Never go to a party alone. Even if you don't drink or do drugs, other people do. If someone sees you alone, they will try to take advantage of that. It can lead to rape or even death. If someone is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, chances are, they have no sense of judgment and could seriously harm you without realizing it. Arrive with a buddy, and leave with your buddy. No matter what.
Again, these may all seem like common sense things, but in the heat of a party, it might not be the first thing on your mind. Just remember to be safe. Kenny took that pill not realizing that he might not wake up the next morning. Don't be that person.
* Name has been changed.
