Nine UPD parties in which 1,500 children participated were shut down

The celebrations for the Last First Day (UPD) left nine parties suspended due to the presence of alcohol this morning, most of them in Greater Mendoza . Another fact is that there were several celebrations held in private homes , with the presence of parents and in which no violations were detected.

The information comes from surveys provided by the Ministry of Security and Justice prior to the start of the school year today.

The last first day, better known by its acronym UPD, is the celebration held by secondary school students who are going to complete their last year, both fifth and sixth, in schools that have a longer history.

This is an event that has been gaining importance, both because of the importance it has for teenagers and because of the way the authorities have looked at the matter. It consists of organizing a party the night before the first day of school, so that they can spend it together and awake. They usually organize it for months, hiring halls and DJs.

However, alcohol consumption is also common and sometimes there are disturbances , which is why the Ministry of Security and the municipalities carry out controls and suspend events in which there is a violation of the regulations, particularly given that the consumption of alcohol by minors is prohibited.

According to the report of the Nightlife Department, approximately 20 calls were received at 0800 during the day. These are complaints about the holding of parties.

In response to this, Diversión Nocturna carried out the cessation of nine activities throughout the province, of which eight took place in Greater Mendoza, with an estimated total attendance of 1,500 people.

"The controls were carried out throughout the province, where the results were positive," the Directorate stressed.

The details of the festivals surveyed are:

-Greater Mendoza Area: 8 events where alcohol was present and ticket sales were disabled.

-East Zone: four events were identified, three in private homes run by parents without alcohol or ticket sales and the other did not take place. Where the cessation or report was not carried out because there was no violation of law 8.296 . One event was deactivated when the sale of alcohol and tickets was confirmed.

-South Zone: two events were identified in private homes under similar conditions, without violations of Law 8296.

-Uco Valley area: three events were detected in private homes with parental supervision, without irregularities.

The General Directorate of Schools (DGE) had worked to raise awareness and provide support. The aim was to involve parents in the situation, both before, during and after.

The School Support Department (DAE) has proposed some advice for families and children and has also provided schools with some strategies to address the situation.

“The UPD is an expression of identity and belonging. It is not just a celebration, it is a manifestation of the needs of adolescents to feel part of a group, to celebrate the bonds built and it marks the beginning of a year that represents the end of one school stage and the beginning of another,” said the area. “This ritual, although not organized by the school , involves the entire educational community, as it reflects the emotions, expectations and challenges that young people face in their process of growth and development,” they added.

When asked about how the day has gone in the establishments, they reported that everything has been fine and without any “complicated” situations.