Sobering Education For Teen That Drove Drunk

An Easter party, which involved a 17 year old stumbling out drunk, lead to the death of a woman after a head on collision later that night. Witnesses estimate that at the time of the collision, the teen was driving 100 miles an hour. He was charged with criminal-vehicular homicide and criminal-vehicular operation resulting in great bodily harm. His blood-alcohol content was 0.176 when he was tested at a hospital after the crash.

Also charged was the an 18 year old who supplied the alcohol. While the criminal charges will play themselves out, the driver of the other car is still in the hospital in critical condition. The woman who died was just 43.

This case should be a good reminder, to not only to people who supply alcohol to teens , but to everyone concerning the dangers of drinking and driving. It’s simply not acceptable. It ruined multiple lives simply because of stupidity.

The Charity Guide has provided a list worth reviewing for all people involved with teens:

• Volunteer to help organize a fun, alcohol-free post-prom party at your local high school.

• Write a letter to local supermarkets and liquor stores stating that you will not patronize any establishment caught selling liquor to minors. Get as many people as you can to sign the petition.

• If you or someone you love has been affected by a drunk-driving accident, share your story to inspire others.

• E-mail the the Jacqui Saburido story — in poster, PowerPoint or video format — to every health education teacher in your area. (Caution: Jacqui Saburido was severely disfigured when struck by a drunk driver. The images are disturbing.)

• If you are the parent of a teenager, download a copy of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) brochure "Underage Drinking: You Can Prevent It When They’re Under Your Influence." E-mail ten other parents of teenagers, encouraging them to do the same.

• Download copies of the MADD brochure "Underage Drinking: You’re Stronger Than You Think" for every member of your church’s youth group. Include with it a copy of "The Drunk Driving Poem."

• Download a copy of the Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) "Contract for Life," a fair, two-way agreement in which teenagers promise to call for a safe ride home if they should find themselves in a potentially destructive situation. In return, parents agree to withhold discussion about the situation until a later, calmer time. Copy the contract for distribution at the next meeting of your local high school’s parents’ association.

The numbers of alcohol related driving deaths are to high. It’s important that we all play our role in preventing them.