Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse education, University Counseling Services and the University Mothers Against Drunk Driving are teaming up to provide a safe alternative to students who want to go out with their friends through the “If You’re Old Enough to Drink, You’re Old Enough to Think” program.

“It is an opportunity for students to be responsible during their alcohol use. We have a pretty high driving after drinking problem and we are hoping this will help control the problem,” Roger Meyer, director of counseling services, said.

Students who plan on going out with their friends and who plan on being the designated driver can stop by on the second floor of Royce Hall or the Information Desk in the Pioneer Student Center to sign a pledge card and pick up a wristband.

Students need to have their driver’s license to prove they are at least 21 years old, and their student ID to prove they are a UW-Plateville student.

“It doesn’t cost the student anything,” Katie Tollefson, AODA education graduate assistant, said. “We are just encouraging groups of students to take turns in driving home when they go out.”

The orange wristband gets the student one free soda at participating locations including Big Jims, Players, Brothers, Chicago’s Best, Camaraderie, School Girlz, Brat Cabin, Pioneer Lanes, VFW and the Platteville Country Club.

“When students are going out with a group of friends, one person can take the initiative to be the designated driver,” Amanda Graizer said.

The wristbands are good for only the night the pledge card is signed. When the wristbands are issued to a student the date is written on them.

“[The Program] puts them in safety and it makes their friends safe when they go out,” Graizer said.

When bartenders see the wristbands they know not to serve the student alcohol drinks.

“I hope students take advantage of this program and identify a designated driver when they go downtown,” Meyer said.

The program is an alternative to the safe ride program that was started last year known as Road Crew.

Road Crew is not operating this year due to a lack of funding. Road Crew was running off of grants and charged minimal amounts to the users of the safe ride. The program is currently reorganizing and hoping to continue in the future.