There are 6,700 deaths in Canada each year resulting from alcohol abuse, says residence life coordinator Jacqueline Mellish—making it one of the country’s leading preventable causes of death.

That’s why she feels so strongly about “I Clover Sober,” a Residence Services program that provides options for students who don’t want to drink to excess but still want to participate in the spirit of St Patrick’s Day.

“This is the fourth year in a row for us to encourage safe drinking around St. Patrick’s Day through I Clover Sober,” Mellish says. “We will sponsor events from Friday right through Monday.”

Among the activities planned are a photo booth in the lobby of every residence building, Clover Twister on Saturday night, karaoke Sunday evening in the Crocodile Grill, and free pancakes for a nightcap, Sunday at 10 p.m. in Vanier Hall’s Katzman Lounge.

It will all culminate in an extravaganza Monday in the CAW Student Centre from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with booths, information and activities with partner organizations from across campus and the community.

It will be “amazingly fun,” promises Heidi Lamb, campus alcohol education coordinator.

“We want to provide students with an alternative to drinking on St. Patrick’s Day,” Lamb says. “For students who have to be on campus but want to celebrate the luck of the Irish, we want to give them a fun and responsible opportunity.”