We’ve all had birthdays – we know what they’re like.

People make you drink much more than you’re comfortable with. Your friends buy you a shot when you have already had too many and you’re thinking, “This one is gonna make me throw up.”

The recent death of local hockey player Jordan Mistelbacher has to make us think seriously. We aren’t invincible. Mistelbacher, 19, was an elite level athlete who was in good shape and good health, but his life was still taken away as a result of binge drinking.

I’m not proposing we abstain from drinking on our birthdays, nor am I saying people should stop drinking altogether. Drinking is a social activity that can be fun to share with friends and teammates, but there has to be a line.

Back to the situation I was talking about earlier. It is incredibly hard to say no to that birthday shot. But realistically, what is making you take it?

I understand there is a lot of pressure on young athletes. Being on a sports team is a competitive atmosphere. It almost feels like you are required to take that shot to be part of the team.

However, it’s not like that teammate will stop being your friend if you don’t down the drink, or that defenceman suddenly won’t have your back because you didn’t take a shot. Your friends would rather you refuse their shot than have to take care of the puking mess you could become.

Now imagine you’re in the other situation. It’s your friend’s birthday and you can see they’ve had too much. So, really, why are you letting this happen?

The whole point of drinking is for everyone to let loose a little and just have fun. That extra shot will not make the party more fun – it will probably make things worse.

No one is going to suddenly stop drinking, but if some people do get beyond the point of no return, it is important for friends to take care of each other.

Mark Mistelbacher, Jordan’s father, has taken a stand against binge drinking. Mark met with the Winnipeg Saints, the team Jordan was supposed to be playing for, and he left them with an inspiring speech and said they should win the championship for Jordan while reminding everyone of the dangers of binge drinking.

“He (Jordan) vomited and they thought he was OK, and he wasn’t,” Mistelbacher said to the Winnipeg Free Press. “If your friends do get sick and they’re drinking large amounts, then just step in and help them, just don’t think it’s nothing.”

You’re a team. You should act like one at all times. Next time you’re out drinking with your teammates or your friends, remember we’re all human and go have a blast, just make sure everyone can get home.

What is it about sports and high school that makes youth drink? Log onto www.uniter.ca to share your story on Jo Villaverde’s blog.

Published in Volume 63, Number 18 of The Uniter (January 29, 2009)