Drinking responsibly will be the theme Saturday at Boquerón

An event promoting responsible consumption of alcohol will take place this Saturday at the Boquerón resort in Cabo Rojo. Annually in Puerto Rico, more than 3,000 people are arrested for drunk driving and more than 2,500 alcohol-related accidents take place, most of them involving men.

By The Star Staff

The Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration (ASSMCA by its Spanish initials) will mobilize this Saturday at the Boquerón resort in Cabo Rojo to promote responsible alcohol consumption and prevent risky behaviors.

“The initiative is part of the work we are doing to guide and raise awareness about the impact of health and quality of life,” said Carlos Rodríguez Mateo, the ASSMCA administrator, in a written statement.

“We are seeing drunk drivers cause death or leave lifelong scars,” he said. “This community impact seeks to carry the message that we can enjoy life if we are responsible.”

Annually in Puerto Rico, more than 3,000 people are arrested for drunk driving and more than 2,500 alcohol-related accidents take place, most of them with men involved.

In collaboration with radio station KQ 105, the visit to the spa will feature music, family games, interactive dynamics, contests and gifts. “Fatal vision goggles” will also be introduced to experience the effects of alcohol and marijuana use.

“At ASSMCA we continue to develop innovative strategies to invite people to reflect on the pain and tragedy that excessive alcohol consumption and other risky behaviors can cause,” Rodríguez Mateo emphasized.

An ASSMCA study revealed that nearly 24,000 students in seventh to 12th grade have used e-cigarettes and/or vaporizers in the past 30 days, underscoring the importance of understanding the health effects of vaping.

Upcoming ASSMCA events include visits to La Parguera in Lajas on June 4, the public beach in Carolina on July 9, and Puerto Nuevo public beach in Vega Baja on July 16.