 |
|
|
 Travel & Outdoors | August 2007 
Dangers, Delights of Juarez Await
 Jenn Kistler - Las Cruces Sun-News
go to original
Tonight, hundreds of college students, many under 21, will cross the border into Juarez for a night of dancing, partying and lots of drinking.
For years, the first Thursday of the semester has served as a rite of passage for many college freshman in the area who venture to the Mexican border town following promises of cheap drinks and a good time. It's even more of a draw since the legal age to consume alcohol in Mexico is 18 and Juarez is about a 45-minute drive from New Mexico State University.
Roger Maier, spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in El Paso, said he expects tonight to be very busy.
"This past Thursday was very busy," Maier said. "We had long line between 1 to 4 a.m. and people waiting 30 to 40 minutes at times to cross back over (to the United States)."
Angelo Ortiz-Holt visited Juarez clubs and bars on the first Thursday of school when he was a freshman.
Now a junior at NMSU and a peer educator for the Wellness, Alcohol, Violence Education program, Ortiz-Holt, 20, said the trip can be dangerous.
"I guess I had fun, but it is a scary place to go," he recounted. "It's unfamiliar to freshmen. It's a different country. It's a different culture."
NMSU sophomore Rene Villa, 20, said he might go to Juarez tonight. However, he said has become very cautious after a close encounter with Mexican officials on a previous trip.
"I almost got arrested by the Juarez police," Villa said.
He explained that the combination of alcohol and drunken behavior outside one of the clubs almost ruined the evening.
"Be careful, go in a group, mind your P's and Q's, and have a good time," Villa advised.
However, the mixture of alcohol and unfamiliarity with the culture can lead to dangerous situations, said Marge Bartoletti, work place coordinator for the Rio Grande Safe Communities Coalition.
"Kids in the past have gone in groups thinking it's safer that way," Bartoletti said.
She explained that when groups of people get drunk they often don't watch out for each other. This can increase the chance of fighting and getting date rape drugs slipped into drinks, she said.
"They're not going over with the intention of dancing and enjoying the company of people. They're going over with the intention of getting drunk," she said.
Bartoletti added that many students are not aware of Mexican laws.
"The laws there are very different than they are in the United States," she said. "They go over to have fun, but I don't think they realize the risks they place themselves in when they do that."
Maier said Thursday nights attract college students from El Paso, Las Cruces and even high school students.
"One of the biggest issues when you get these large crowds when people are drunk and testosterone levels are high is that fights break out while people are waiting in line," said Maier. "It can be a dangerous situation."
Maier added that passports will not be required for pedestrians or vehicles crossing into Mexico until sometime next year. However, he cautioned those who cross over to bring a state-issued ID, such as a driver's license.
Jenn Kistler can be reached at jkistler@lcsun-news.com |
| |
|
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us