They instruct the police to take care of the boys in the UPD

Fabian Debesa

03/07/2020 - 12:09

• Clarín.com
• Society

In a few hours the UPD (Last First Day) season starts, that adolescent custom that was imposed in a short time and now has an institutional impact. The school environment transcended and the eyes are positioned on Sunday night and the extensive early morning in which, with teenage effervescence, it will be celebrated in houses, party halls and on the street on the first day of classes of the last year of high school.

The authorities took note of this modality that started somewhere inaccurate in the south of the Conurbano almost a decade ago, extended and gained momentum in the Buenos Aires capital just over five years ago, and is already in almost the whole country.

The boys who enter the final course of middle school come together to celebrate that final instance of their school trip and "endure" all night until they enter the classrooms the morning of the beginning of the school year. There is music, dancing, celebration and almost always, alcohol.

Therefore, this weekend, the Secretariat of Programming for the Prevention and Fight against Drug Addiction and Drug Trafficking (Sedronar) coordinated with the Ministry of Security of Buenos Aires actions so that the police can intervene in eventual street overflows. This is a series of guidelines and recommendations for agents that offer adequate tools in situations of conflict on public roads.

The message that Sedronar spreads on the networks.

As explained in the Secretariat, it seeks to "orient the task of security agents during the development of the UPD before minors in situations of excessive alcohol consumption". It includes a list of tips such as: calling local services if there are cases of poisoning; convene an adult responsible for the group; talk to school authorities; not leave them abandoned; offer them water and shelter them, and keep calm to avoid confrontations.

It was a joint work of the Directorate of Community Police and Local Prevention of the Ministry of Security with the Sedronar that was developed in the last hours.

It is not the first intervention of a Buenos Aires state agency before the arrival of the UPD. This week, the Ombudsman of the Province made other instructions with recommendations for parents, children and school authorities. The secretariat against drugs also prepared a document for parents with information on the risks of excessive consumption in minors.

According to the head of Sedronar, Gabriela Torres, "the problem of the UPD is the excess of alcohol." He also said that "it would be easier if adults begin to agree on 'Why Not" should teenagers drink alcohol. "

Torres argues that "it is not against this youth ritual", but considers that the elderly should have instruments so that when they say "no" (to the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages) there is a solid argument and an explanation with alternative proposals.

From the organism the preventive campaign with messages in the networks was reinforced. "We are concerned that this day is focused on alcohol consumption," is the message that drives the state entity.

The flags to enter the school, a tradition of adolescent ritual for the beginning of classes in the last year of high school.

The municipality of La Plata will also deploy prevention mechanisms with inspectors and with the communal police. There will be special operations in the immediate vicinity of the most populated establishments in the Buenos Aires capital.

In Province, the secondary classes begin between Monday 9 and Thursday 12 March. Each school has - for various reasons - a different calendar for the start of activities. In all the Buenos Aires territory there are almost 90 thousand students who will attend the sixth year of high school in 2020. The UPD is widespread in large cities, but in recent years it has also been installed in less populated locations.

The forms of organization of the festive meeting are variable. Some decide to get together in a house or in a barbecue. Others hire spaces for parties or bowling. In all cases the goal is to enter the school buildings as groups, with costumes or flags.

There are educational centers that already included in their "coexistence codes" the conditions to carry out the UPD. Many explained the prohibition of using pyrotechnics. And others - the less - assumed the commitment to avoid alcoholic drinks.

In these early mornings stretched by the festivities, complaints about "annoying noises" or incidents in the street are increased.

The General Directorate of Schools of the province also distributed a document that puts the focus on "care and care." It is aimed at managers, parents and students. The central axis of this work argues that "it is important that future graduates are welcomed, expected and accompanied by the educational institution." And it aims to generate "a communication network so that responsible adults accompany the income guaranteeing their care".

The UPD has almost become a "matter of state." Sedronar, Ombudsman, Ministry of Security, Municipality of La Plata and General Directorate of Schools. Everyone intervenes in an attempt to prosecute the celebration of the students.