Responsible Choices: A Conversation About Summer Safety with La Voz de Unidos
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One of the things I enjoy most about my work is having the opportunity to be part of conversations that can truly make a difference in our community. Recently, I had the privilege of joining La Voz de Unidos for a special radio interview with the Harris County Sheriff's Office, a conversation centered on making responsible choices around alcohol and staying safe this summer.
As summer gets closer, most of us are already looking forward to everything that comes with it: barbecues, pool parties, beach trips, lake weekends, soccer matches, and the kind of celebrations that become memories we carry for years. And while all of that is absolutely worth celebrating, it also comes with a real responsibility, one that starts with the decisions we make before the party even begins.
During the interview, we talked about several practical tips that can help everyone enjoy summer the right way. One of the most important ones is having a plan before you ever arrive at an event where alcohol will be served. Thinking through your transportation in advance and knowing how you're getting home takes the guesswork out of a moment when your judgment might not be at its sharpest.
We also talked about something that sounds simple but makes a real difference: staying hydrated. In Houston summers, the heat is no joke, and drinking water consistently throughout the day matters. Eating before and during drinking also helps your body process alcohol better and supports clearer decision-making.
Another topic that came up was understanding what actually counts as a standard drink and being intentional about how much we pour. Many of us consume more alcohol than we realize simply because the servings we get, whether at a party or a restaurant, are often much larger than the recommended standard drink, which is 1.5 oz.
As a mom, the message that hit closest to home was about not drinking when you're the adult responsible for watching children around water. Whether it's a swimming pool, a lake, a beach, or any body of water, children need an alert adult nearby at all times. Alcohol affects your reaction time and your judgment, and in those moments, seconds are everything.
Above everything else, the message we kept coming back to was this: if you choose to drink, drink responsibly and never get behind the wheel. Protecting yourself, your family, and every single person sharing the road with you starts with that one decision.
It was especially meaningful to be able to share all of this with Houston's Spanish-speaking community. These conversations need to reach families where they are, in the language they feel most comfortable in, and that is exactly what moments like these make possible.
I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Deputy Pantoja for the invitation, to Tess Rowland for her partnership and unwavering commitment, and to Responsibility.org for everything they continue to do to promote responsible alcohol consumption, prevent underage drinking, and eliminate impaired driving. Their work matters, and it shows in communities across the country every single day.
Thank you for allowing me to be part of this conversation. Together, we can make this a safer and more responsible summer for everyone.
