BY MARCHELLE COLLINS

Summer time is considered one of the most dangerous times of the year, especially in Kansas City. The most entertaining things carry the most risk, and we wouldn’t even know. It’s important to take the right precautions to make sure we can have fun, while also being aware. Considering we’re more likely to find ourselves in vulnerable situations this summer, we should all make sure we are being mindful of intoxicated drivers, laced contraband, and dangers of the people around us. 

We are at the highest risk for falling victim to drunk drivers throughout the summer months. According to an article called “Worst States For Driving In 2024” by Kelly Smith, Missouri is specifically among the worst states for drunk driving, making up 28.54% of overall drunk driving deaths in America. Additionally, according to the CDC the United States has a daily drunk driver death rate of 37 people per day. This is one death every 39 minutes. We can avoid drunk drivers by attempting to remain inside around the hot times (7:00pm – 10:00pm), remaining aware of our surroundings at all times (expecting drunk drivers), and by avoiding impairment while driving ourselves. 

Fentanyl is currently one of the leading causes of death for teens in the Kansas City area.

Majority of these deaths are caused by accidental fentanyl consumption. Counterfeit pills are nearly identical to the actual medications, so it is very difficult to determine a synthetic compared to a genuine pill. The majority of these counterfeit pills are meant to resemble oxycodone (M30s), hydrocodone, alprazolam (Xanax), adderall, and other medications. Even cannabis is able to be and has been found laced. Some indicators of laced cannabis include: Sharp gasoline, or nail polish odor when burnt, and might appear with blue or white crystals. About an average of 22 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18 passed in the U.S each week in 2022. Keeping away from substances like pills and cannabis will get rid of our risk for drug poisoning. 

Making sure we are aware of those around us is also crucial to our safety this summer. The majority of abductions typically happen in the summer months (June, July, and August). More specifically, Friday or Saturday around 3:30pm – 10pm. Which is normally the time we make summer plans. Making sure we know warning signs for trafficking and staying safe in public events will prevent risk. Avoiding strangers would be helpful, but sometimes impossible. Looking out for specific questions they may ask (do you have a husband, do you work, age, where you live), checking your surroundings (some traffickers leave flags on vehicles), and attempting to go public places with another person at all times. Being certain of those we trust to surround us daily and be designated drivers for events is important as well. According to an article called “child abductions by strangers are very rare” by Emilie Munson, out of half a million missing persons cases opened each year, only a few hundred involve an abduction by a stranger, brought by statistics recorded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Furthermore, keeping our guard up, and being aware of everything around us will keep us out of horrible situations. 

Our safety is very important and as teenage adolescents we are at higher risk to these hazards at all times, but especially in the summertime. Keeping from drunk driving, poisoned drugs, dangerous people, and dangerous situations will allow us fun and safety. Lets keep aware, and have a good summer 2024!