Two heart-wrenching tragedies involving young women in Fort Collins continue to offer lessons for today.

Last week, more than 150 students attended the showing of "Death by Alcohol: The Sam Spady Story," a documentary that recounts the death of 19-year-old Spady after a night of drinking. The Colorado State University student was found dead Sept. 5, 2004, in a fraternity house.

Since Spady's death, her family and friends have carried on educational and information events, including the documentary showing at CSU and the "Ace of Spades" program - cards that identify the signs of alcohol poisoning. Their hope is to teach young people the very real risks associated with extreme drinking. Last year, more than 1,700 college students died in incidents related to alcohol use.

In 2003, Lacy Miller, a 20-year-old Fort Collins college student was abducted and killed by a man posing as a law officer. Since that time, Lacy's Law, sponsored by Rep. Bob McCluskey, R-Fort Collins, stiffened penalties for impersonating a law officer.

This week, a 20-year-old woman reported to the Weld County Sheriff's Office that a man posing as a law officer held her by the side of a road and searched her vehicle for more than an hour before leaving. Sheriff''s deputies continue to search for the man, but the incident, as well as Miller's death, is yet another reminder that residents have every right to question authority when it comes to law enforcement.

Drivers who are suspicious about law officers during a police stop can drive slowly to a well-lit or populated area to request a marked car be sent or to call police dispatch to confirm the authenticity of the stop.

The deaths of Spady and Miller should not be forgotten. Both offer very real lessons about individual responsibility and self-protection.