It’s the season of tricks, treats, spooks and sweets, but before getting caught up in the shenanigans, students should spare a moment to think about the risks involved with the Halloween hype.
“As with any holiday, we do see an influx of drinking,” said Captain Tyson Berrett of the Moscow Police Department.
Jesse Pratt, a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity at the University of Idaho, said some students might not attend classes Monday after Halloween weekend because they’re still hungover. But missing classes may not be the biggest risk involved.
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University of Idaho basketball players hand out candy to young trick-or-treaters during “Trick-or-Treat in the Dome” 5 p.m. Thursday in the Kibbie Dome.
“When people start drinking, the risk of sexual assault is increased dramatically because peoples’ decision making is affected by the alcohol,” Pratt said. “People often get belligerent and sometimes aggressive.”
Alcohol increases risky behavior, whether it’s sexual or criminal activity, Berrett said.
“We do see an increase in criminal activity, but it’s mostly theft of decorations,” Berrett said.
While Berrett said there are more police officers on patrol this weekend and on Halloween Monday, they will mostly look out for younger trick-or-treaters. He said there are ways for students to stay safe during the celebrations as well.
Students should always have a sober person with them, Berrett said. It’s important for a student to walk in pairs or in a group and let their friends know where they’re going, as well as when they’ll be home.
“College is all about finding those boundaries,” said UI Campus Dietician Marissa Rudley. “The challenge might be finding the balance between what’s fun and social and what’s good for your body.”
For every alcoholic beverage consumed, people should drink eight ounces of water, Rudley said. This helps to prevent hangovers and keep the person’s inhibitions in control.
Eating food with high carbohydrates is also helpful, as it prevents blood sugar levels from dropping. When blood sugar drops, that’s when the body feels sick, Rudley said.
The middle of the fall semester is already a hectic time of year, where students might be more susceptible to getting sick or burned out with stress from their classes, Rudley said. This sometimes leads to poor eating habits.
In the weeks leading up to Halloween and the days following, many students take advantage of the cheap bags of candy available at Moscow grocery stores. While Rudley said a bit of candy can fit in a healthy diet, excessive candy can cause havoc on the body.
She said women don’t need more than six teaspoons of sugar a day. Added sugar is abundant in Halloween candy. One night of indulgence isn’t too bad, as long as students are mindful of their regular eating habits and they make time for healthy meals and snacks, Rudley said.
Instead of binging on Halloween candy, Pratt said there are ways to take advantage of the holiday festivities to distract students from the temptation of unhealthy habits.
“People could participate in costume contests or just dress up and hang out with friends or family,” Pratt said.
UI first-year Samantha Gresham isn’t sure about the need for alternatives to eating candy on Halloween. She said students at the university will party all year regardless of the occasion — it’s more important to be smart about it yearlong.
“Don’t push yourself too far with whatever you’re doing, but you’re still allowed to enjoy yourself,” Gresham said.
Lizzy Diana
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