Before I get into my rant, let me first set the scene.
It was 9:30 P.M. on a Wednesday night. I was at home with my parents doing my own thing while my brothers were out at the bar with their friends. This is not an unusual occurrence for my brothers; they are both 23 and perfectly capable of taking care of themselves and even their friends when an opportunity arises. Around 9:45, I hear the door open and my brother, Anthony, came into my room and asked if I would drive them to Chick-fil-a. I was not doing anything else that night so I agreed, happy that they would ask me to drive them when they were all clearly tipsy, if not a little drunk. Anthony was the soberest of the group and he is always the most logical amongst his friends as he does not want anything bad to happen. I admire him for that.
I walk outside with him to see my other brother, Andrew, their friend Charlie and his girlfriend. I have known their friend Charlie for eight years and he is someone I am comfortable around and even have become close to these past eight years. Everything was lighthearted and all seemed to be okay as I walked outside but because it was almost 10 P.M., Chick-fil-a would be closing soon. Charlie decided he wanted to go home instead, even though he was clearly too drunk to drive. My brothers both told him that I would drive everyone home, as I was clearly fine to drive, but Charlie refused to give his keys to anyone. Andrew was obviously the drunkest of the group, and yet, he was thinking more rationally than Charlie. We gave Charlie many different possibilities to get him home or to at least wait at our house until he sobered up a little. He started to get angry. This night started off as fun and lighthearted which then quickly turned into slamming doors and yelling. Andrew and Anthony could not persuade Charlie; therefore he drove himself and his girlfriend home. They made it home okay, but that does not make the situation okay.
Here is where my rant begins.
I was angry with Charlie for putting my brothers in a tough situation, but also for getting mad at them when they were trying to do what was best for him. I am not opposed to alcohol in any way. I am opposed to those that believe they are invincible to the dangers of alcohol consumption and I am opposed to those that will risk their lives, or others, when they can easily prevent it. When drinking, ALWAYS have a designated driver, no matter how sober you think you are, you probably are not. When drinking, ALWAYS watch your limit; you may think it is a good idea for one more drink, but it probably is not. When drinking, ALWAYS have someone around to make rational decisions for you; alcohol is not worth losing a loved one over.