Students should keep Poole’s death in mind next time they go out

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Matthew Owen Poole walked up to O’Kelly’s Sports Bar & Grille with a group of friends the night of Feb. 5, ready for a birthday celebration.

But what started out as an evening of innocent drinking turned into a young adult’s worst nightmare when Poole started walking down US-127 after being denied access to the bar due to over-intoxication.

Though he began the night with a group, he ended it alone. That image of him walking alone along the road — reported later by a witness — was the last anyone would see of him for weeks.

His body was found last Thursday behind Sam’s Club, more than a month from the night of his disappearance.

The tragedy of Poole’s death should serve as a warning to students that drinking and partying can come at a high price.

Sure, we all love to throw a few back every now and then and, when handled responsibly, with a designated driver and safe place to drink, alcohol can be a fun part of the college experience.

Poole, a Wolverine Lake resident, was in Mount Pleasant the weekend of his disappearance, celebrating a friend’s birthday. When entering O’Kelly’s, some of Poole’s friends were allowed in while he and another friend were turned away.

Before his friends knew it, he was gone.

Poole’s situation could happen to any student.

It’s easy to get caught up in the party and bar scene during college.

But students need to make sure they aren’t abusing alcohol.

A situation can easily become dangerous when too much alcohol is involved.

Drunk or sober, walking by yourself at night is dangerous and should be avoided. Stick to your friends when you go out to drink. Let them know where you’re at or what you’re doing at all times.

The practice may seem overly cautious to some, but it will give friends the piece of mind they deserve, especially if they care about you.

If you’re turned away from bars because you’re too drunk to be in public, call it a night and take a taxi home. Having a few more drinks and being belligerent at a bar is not worth getting arrested for.

There will always be a next time to go out and have a good time if you make it a priority to be safe and to take care of yourself.

If you’re with some friends who aren’t allowed into a bar because they’re too intoxicated, make it a point to ensure they make it safely home. Call a taxi and wait until it arrives. Or take them home yourself before picking up a drink.

No one likes to change their plans because they have to take care of people who can’t control their alcohol.

But knowing your friends are safe is worth far more than a night of fun out on the town.

What happened to Poole is terrible. It’s a reminder that we are all human and that the dangers of partying are real.

Students should keep Poole’s story in mind when they go out and drink.

It’s easy to have fun and drink too much. It’s not so easy to face the death of a friend.