In our county we have 3 high schools and do a Prom Promise at all 3. We will take the junior and senoir class outside and have them set in bleachers looking at 2 or 3 cars that have been in an "accident" with victims still inside. We have a person usually state police, reading a narrative as to what is happening. Our F.d. will come around corner lights and sirens to the wreck, perform the extrications, place victims (school kids) on the ambulance cot or in body bags laying on the ground or in helicopters to fly to a trauma center. We will let the dead people lay their in sight of all until we are done. We have the cooperation of the law enforcement, ems, fd, coroner, and school. The narrative is big, tell the truth, tell them what the body bag is and what the corner is doing, tell them what the police are doing (field sobriety test, notifying parents that their child is DEAD) tell them what the fd and ems are doing. This kind of community involvement works. It may be hard and offensive to some but so is life. My F.D. has been doing this for 5 years or so. After the "crash" is over the kids are invited down to the mangled cars to ask questions and look at the carnage of what a real wreck looks like. The reason I know that this works is because of the kids. I have had them thanking me and all involved with tears running down their faces for opening their eyes. Should juveniles or anybody else drink and drive, no. Can we educate and involve the public to make a better choice, yes. I agree Heavnbound, it is hard to pick up the piece. One big reason I try to get as involved as I can to make a differnce is because of the pieces, the pieces of a close friend that I graduated with that I had to pick up.

 

SShank is right! If it saves one life it is worth it! When my wife and I drove a truck for a few years, 48 states and Canada, we saw several BLOODY accedents. They stay with you for a long time afterward! We also worked in the oil and gas exploration industry for years, used explosives and helcopters in very dangerous places. Our DEMAND that any one working for us followed iron clad safety rules, meant we had NO accedents while other operations nearby had many accedents as well as faitalities.
Training and enforcing rules saves lives! Your demonstrations saves lives too.
Harry
hrdrckgld

 

It's really easy for some 20 somethings and older to tell teens not to drink. I drank when I was in H.S., but not a lot at all. I think I got drunk 3 or 4 times before college. Then I got there, and joined a fraternity. Wait until you're on the outside looking in, you'll think twice about drinking till you yuke a lot.

As a college freshman, we boozed it up a lot...and did it hard. I messed up a lot of my classes, and forgot many a night. It's all fun and games when you wake up and hear the stories of what you did from others who think it's funny, but wait until you see someone doing it. I'll never forget going to one particualr party and seeing all of my friends blitzed, and I was stoned sober when I got there. It was embarrassing to see them like that, and I realized that this is what I more then likely look like.

It seems cool and all, but girls don't really dig a guy facing a bottle of whiskey or a ton of crap beer, acting like a jerk (who thinks they're funny), opens his mouth way too much in the wrong times, yukes, passes out and wakes up with male anatomy drawn on him. Go ahead and chuckle away, but it's really not a good impression to make. You'll see when the first girl you had interest in comes up to you and says, "yeah, I remember, you were wasted and I drew on you...nice job booze-hound". I'm still embarrassed by some of the nights I can remember (provided I'm lucky enough to remember.)

And when you're in your 20s, and see some younguns at the bar for the first time, and see college freshman getting loaded at parties...you'll see how lame you can look. Nothing wrong with some sauce, just know when to put it up.

And driving, it isn't an issue...even if I'm out for 2 drinks in 3 hours or more, I won't go home for awhile. If you have friends that knock you for not having another before you leave, you need a re-evaluation of friends before you need another drink.

 

One simple rule. Don't do ANYTHING I ever did before I was 30. Oh yeah, and alcohol and testosterone don't mix.

 

Provinces in Canada have 18 and (some 19) year old drinking ages and I don't think they have near the problems the U.S. has. Probably because the laws on drunk driving are stiffer. Maybe our Government should look into their program on this subject...

 

I think 19 would be a pretty agreeable age. Why the hell not, if your already legally able to move out on your own (18 I believe), your usually out of high school or are just about to get out, are gonna get a job and/or go to college. Not that drinking is the best thing since sliced bread but cmon. I have 29 days till I turn 21 and I know that I will still party quite a bit but jeez it almost seems pointless to set it at 21 because basically they are gonna do it anyway. I do not think drunk driving is smart. I think parents that teach their kids to have a little common sense about this issue is the best. As far as my high-school years, the parents that had problems with their kids coming home drunk, getting grounded for being late and all the other variables were the ones who ruled like the following.
1. I don't care what you are doing or if you have been drinking, get your a$$ home now!
2. If you drink at all and I hear about it, your grounded
The parents that seemed to have a heck of lot less headaches than the above were the ones that didn't forget what it was like when they were in their younger years, were friends with their kids but found that balance where the kids still had some fear and respected them. And I would (or will if someone doesn't get it) but that should be pretty easy to think of some common sence ideas.

JC

 

Whatever the age, just don't drink and drive.

 

Agreed, just think that setting it at 21 is pretty silly. My high-school shop teacher (who is a desent enough guy) thought that they should set it at 41! But then again even though he had some interesting points, I pretty much could have taught our high school auto shop class so go figure!

 

If a person is old enough (18) to vote and defend our country, they should have same benefits and laws.It is just that too many folks before you have been irresponsible and caused so many accidents/deaths that a change had to happen.Just use common sense.Good Luck!

 

I am 19 and don't drink. Almost all of my friends do it, but not around me really. I always tell them to call me, no matter what time and I will take them home. I can drive by their house the next day and their truck or car is parked halfway off the driveway into the yard. It just kills me that I will see these classmates, at the time, in church with their family and singing and praying, and the night before, I saw them at a party getting trashed. Nothing pisses me off more than drinking and driving. People just don't think about the consequences of their actions. They don't think about the 8 year old kid who will have to grow up without their mom, dad, or brother. I'll be the first to admit, I'm not perfect. I chew Cope, and I know it will kill ya, but I do it anyway. Go figure. I figured if that is all I do, I'm doing alright.

 

Being a college freshman and almost 19 years old I have a few things to say on this topic. When I go to parties in college, I don't drive at all mostly becuae I don't have my truck here and the parties are close. Since my college is known as a binge drinking school most of us don't just have a beer or two and I guess you could say I am one of them. Luckily, I am smart enough to know my limits and I drink only on weekends and not miss class because of hangovers. I did start drinking the summer between graduation and first year of college and all of my friends and I agreed that no one would drive no matter how sober they thought they were. We always stayed the night at someone's house then drove home the next day and it worked pretty well. I agree with some of the posters who said if you are old enough to fight for your country, you are old enough to drink. I think even when I turn 21 that I will not drive even if I feel fine. It's stupid to do at any age and not worth the risk. Cabs aren't cheap but a lot cheaper than a DUI/DWI!

 

1986 T&D, You are a smart and responsible person.Thank You and your friends for not driving while drinking!My hat goes off to people like you!Good Luck and Be Safe!

 

Thanks for the comments Ruckus and good luck to you as well