As a child, Nicole Jackson waited in line to see Santa hoping for a favorite toy, but today she will visit old St. Nick with a different hope a safe holiday season.

Jackson and other SIUC students can take a free picture of themselves with Santa Claus today in the Student Center as a pledge to drink responsively over the holidays as part of Holiday Safety Week sponsored by numerous on and off-campus organizations.

Jackson, a sophmore in speech communications from Oak Forest, said she is making the pledge with her friends tomorrow. Jackson lost her 20-year-old cousin in a drunk driving accident three years ago.

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Losing someone close in a drunk driving accident is a painful memory, she said. It is such an unneccesary problem. I never want to lose anyone close again, especially during the holidays, she said.

Jackson said the picture will serve as a memory of her first year at SIUC and bring her some peace of mind over vaction.

If my friends pledge to control their drinking, I know that I’ll see them when I get back next semester.

Joe Baker coordinator for Student Health Programs and the event, said alcohol and substance abuse are a part of any social scene, including family gatherings. He said traditionally, more parties are held around the winter holiday seasons.

Any social situation with people drinking makes a pretty good scenario for disaster, he said. The holidays are usually a time for overplaying and not sleeping. People get careless. It’s a hazardous time.

Barb Fijolek, Wellness Center coordinator for alcohol education, said during the holidays, many students use their free time to visit old friends. She said increased alcohol awareness is needed because of the combination of parties and bad weather.

Bad, icy weather and increasing darkness already make terrible driving conditions, she said. It would be a tragedy to get hurt around the holidays because of a drunk driver.

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Kathy Guilfoyle, event coordinator and assistant director of Intramural and Recreational Sports, said the program began about seven years ago and is always successful.

We started off by putting (written) pledges on a Christmas tree, she said. We brought in Santa because it gives the students a keepsake of their time here and helps them remember their pledge.

More than 500 people give their signatures every year, she said. Guilfoyle said the pledge does not ask people to abstain from drinking over the holidays but does ask students to drink in moderation and have designated drivers.

Fijolek said to avoid the pressure to drink at a party, students can drink non-alcoholic beverages. She said if students plan to have a party they should offer alternatives to the usual alcoholic beverages.

You should have other decent drink choices like soda or juice, instead of just the keg or wine, she said. You could be held responsible for someone who leaves your home drunk and causes an accident.

Fijolek said appointing a designated driver before going out is the most important action a person can take this holiday season.

If you really care about yourself and your friends, make sure ahead of time someone will drive you home safely.

Pictures will be taken on Thursday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Old Main Lounge on the second floor of the Student Center. Refreshments will also be served.