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Post by candleangie on May 4, 2017 4:45:39 GMT
Prom is this weekend. My kids high school had a mandatory assembly for all Jr's and Sr' s. They went outside where they showed them exactly...and very graphically....what happens in a head on collision caused by drunk driving. They cut the people out of bloodsoaked cars, put them into body bags, had the coroner pronounce them dead. Performed CPR on a passenger....had the helicopter land at the school and pick up the passenger.
A lot of kids were in tears. It was graphic enough that the school felt the need to make counselors available as part of this program.
There is no opt out option. They did not even notify the parents that this was coming.
In order to teach a lesson, they traumatized two grades worth of teenagers.
Am I wrong to think this was too far?
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Post by elaine on May 4, 2017 4:49:42 GMT
What do you want us to PVM? That the school was justified in doing something drastic in the hopes of saving lives on Prom weekend where the chances of teenage drinking and driving are higher?
The issue/problem with teens is that - IN THE ABSTRACT - they don't think it will happen to them. It takes brutal and graphic visuals to break through their false belief in their own invulnerability.
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Post by mom26 on May 4, 2017 4:49:50 GMT
We viewed that very same thing in Driver's Ed when I was a teen in the 80s. No parental consent required.
I'm in my 50s now and still remember it. It also keeps me from making stupid mistakes like driving after having a drink.
I've no problem with this.
ETA: Nothing is going too far if it prevents even ONE drunk driving fatality.
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Post by seikashaven on May 4, 2017 4:52:32 GMT
While I think that parents should have been aware in advance what the program contained, if it saves even one life then I think it's worth it.
My parents' small community is currently reeling from the death of three 17 year olds who were drinking and driving. If this kind of program would have made them or their friends think twice then I'm all for it.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 27, 2024 22:32:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2017 4:53:06 GMT
The lesson is far less traumatizing than the reality. Hopefully it gets through to the kids, who at that age feel they are invincible.
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Post by PolarGreen12 on May 4, 2017 4:53:46 GMT
I attended something very similar put on by a friend's church when I was 17. I remember being pissed off at the church for showing us that. It was portrayed as a haunted house, but all the scenes were real life accidents, suicides, drunk driver car accident, etc. But you know what. I have remembered it still 20 years later. it always pops into my head when I've been at a bar or had a few drinks. Because of it I have also never driven after a drink. So while it may seem extreme and gruesome, what the school did serves a purpose. They quite possibly saved lives by putting on that show.
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Post by candleangie on May 4, 2017 4:54:07 GMT
I think it's insane to spring this on kids and families.... portlandtribune.com/en/30-news/110800-drunk-driving-invades-estacada-high-schoolAbove is an article about the program. I'm sorry....but assuming that every student in the student body can handle this....that none of them have lost someone that way, or have been in a dramatic accident, or that they are all in an emotionally stable place to begin with so that they can process this in a healthy way is bullshit.
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Post by seikashaven on May 4, 2017 4:59:43 GMT
I think it's insane to spring this on kids and families.... portlandtribune.com/en/30-news/110800-drunk-driving-invades-estacada-high-schoolAbove is an article about the program. I'm sorry....but assuming that every student in the student body can handle this....that none of them have lost someone that way, or have been in a dramatic accident, or that they are all in an emotionally stable place to begin with so that they can process this in a healthy way is bullshit. I'm sorry you're upset and if your child is one of those particularly vulnerable or sensitive to these issues then my sympathies are with you. However, I still think these programs save lives. Teens are often more resilient then we credit them for. Are the emotionally vulnerable going to handle their peers' deaths any better than a role play? I think not.
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Post by mom26 on May 4, 2017 5:02:20 GMT
I think it's insane to spring this on kids and families.... portlandtribune.com/en/30-news/110800-drunk-driving-invades-estacada-high-schoolAbove is an article about the program. I'm sorry....but assuming that every student in the student body can handle this....that none of them have lost someone that way, or have been in a dramatic accident, or that they are all in an emotionally stable place to begin with so that they can process this in a healthy way is bullshit. Putting kids in bubble wrap does not help them in any way, shape or form.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 27, 2024 22:32:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2017 5:04:03 GMT
I'm surprised this is shocking, honestly. I've been out of high school almost 20 years, and we had this then. I didn't even realize it was still effective because I thought it had been so done that everyone knew to expect it.
IMO, if you can't handle seeing what might happen in a car accident, you shouldn't be driving. This was, presumably, aimed at drivers. A little, healthy fear, can be a good thing.
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inkedup
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,837
Jun 26, 2014 5:00:26 GMT
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Post by inkedup on May 4, 2017 5:05:15 GMT
I think it's insane to spring this on kids and families.... portlandtribune.com/en/30-news/110800-drunk-driving-invades-estacada-high-schoolAbove is an article about the program. I'm sorry....but assuming that every student in the student body can handle this....that none of them have lost someone that way, or have been in a dramatic accident, or that they are all in an emotionally stable place to begin with so that they can process this in a healthy way is bullshit. We had a similar simulation when I was a senior in high school. A few months after one of my friends (also a student) was killed in a drunk driving accident. (She was hit by a drunk driver.) All of us that loved her made it through this without any additional emotional trauma. Everything is a trigger for someone. You can't stop the world because some people cannot cope well with its realities.
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Post by tracyarts on May 4, 2017 5:11:44 GMT
I'll validate that you're upset over the fact that the kids were left traumatized. But the school didn't go too far in presenting such a realistic recreation of a DUI wreck.
I'm glad the kids were traumatized over what they saw, the sight will stick with them forever, and hopefully will make them think twice about getting behind the wheel drunk, or into a car with a drunk driver.
IMO, it's such a serious problem that it needs to be addressed with shock value. Juniors and Seniors are not little children. They are given the freedom and responsibility to drive and be driven by their peers. The privilege of operating a piece of machinery that can be deadly if used carelessly. No young person believes that it'll happen to them. They've probably never seen violent death or devastating injury in real life.
It's harsh, but it's real, and they shouldn't be shielded from the reality of it just because it's traumatizing.
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Post by candleangie on May 4, 2017 5:13:48 GMT
Ok. I guess it's just me.
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Post by AussieMeg on May 4, 2017 5:15:42 GMT
I think it's a great idea, and I wish they did this at my kids' school.
I'm sorry that some kids were traumatised, but it's nothing compared to the trauma of losing someone in a drink driving accident collision. If it saves the life of just one of those kids, it's worth it.
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Post by elaine on May 4, 2017 5:18:44 GMT
I'm still upset/impacted by the drunk driving death of a high school classmate 37 years later. Far better to get the point across with no one getting hurt IRL.
I'm stunned that parents would be upset by a life-saving program like this. Would you rather your child learn this lesson by actually being in a car with a drunk driver behind the wheel?
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
Jul 7, 2014 19:36:30 GMT
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Post by zella on May 4, 2017 5:19:49 GMT
These are juniors and seniors, so 16-18. At that age if they were too traumatized by this, they could walk away. These aren't little kids who just follow directions, these are young adults with minds of their own. I was a very good student, and a very good kid, and even I ditched a few classes in high school. If we'd had this event at our school and I was feeling too upset, I would have left the scene. No one is going to manhandle a kid and force them to stay and watch.
I don't have a problem with this event at all, and I don't think parents needed to be notified. I think the lack of notification helps with the shock factor, actually. And as someone else has said, if it stops one person from driving drunk, if it saves one life, it is so worth it.
Angie, I totally understand why you might be upset, but I do support the school in this case.
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Post by cadoodlebug on May 4, 2017 5:21:56 GMT
Our high schools have been doing this for years. It's called 15 Minutes. But our schools notify parents ahead of time. I think it is a very worthwhile program.
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Post by cadoodlebug on May 4, 2017 5:25:53 GMT
I'm still upset/impacted by the drunk driving death of a high school classmate 37 years later. Far better to get the point across with no one getting hurt IRL. I'm stunned that parents would be upset by a life-saving program like this. Would you rather your child learn this lesson by actually being in a car with a drunk driver behind the wheel? I agree. My senior year in 1966 a classmate was killed by a drunk driver who ran a red light.
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Post by mom2samlibby on May 4, 2017 5:26:39 GMT
I'd rather they learn from this than watch it take place in real life after prom this weekend.
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Post by jlynnbarth on May 4, 2017 5:35:09 GMT
My kid's school did the same thing, only they take it a step further. It's called every 15 minutes. They take random seniors the night before (with parental permission) to a hotel and keep them sequestered. During the next school day, every 15 mins one of the sequestered students is brought into the school until the actual assembly. They are dressed in black and are not allowed to speak to anyone. That's because every 15 minutes someone is killed by a drunk driver. They represent those killed. It is terribly emotional when they realize a classmate has been lost and hits really hard when it's "your" friend.
I have zero problem with the program. Most teens feel invincible and that nothing bad could happen to them. They need the reality check.
I've been hit by 4 drunk drivers. I've been very very lucky. The worst one was when I was a passenger in the car and we were stopped at a stop light. The drunk driver hit us from behind at 40 mph. Even with my seat belt on my head hit the windshield. If I hadn't had it on I would have gone through the windshield. I still suffer horrible headaches because of it 29 years later.
I would rather they see the "fake" scenes than deal with the aftermath of a real one.
A couple years ago a 16 yr old boy (not drunk or on drugs) was speeding with 2 friends in the car. He caught air on a hill, lost control and they hit a tree. Both the passengers (2 15 year old girls) both died on impact. All 3 were wearing seat belts. One of the girl's Dads was a first responder. Imagine that feeling. Seeing your daughter dead. Heart wrenching! The 16 year old best friend driver was in critical condition and then when well enough went to Juvy for 60 days, 300 hours of community service and 2 years probation and the life long guilt he will endure for killing his best friends because he was being stupid behind the wheel. The whole thing is heart wrenching. I like the idea of showing them this during drivers ed. Don't wait til Prom/graduation. Old enough to drive??? Old enough for a reality check oh what could happen if you act like an idiot, whether it's speeding or drunk driving.
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Post by AussieMeg on May 4, 2017 6:23:10 GMT
The TAC (Transport Accident Commission) in my state has made some incredibly graphic and horrifying TV commercials over the last 30 years. The whole point of the graphic nature of their campaigns is to shock people into understanding that these things can happen to anyone.
"When the TAC was created in 1987, it declared a mission to ‘upset, outrage and appal’ Victorians to reduce the number of road deaths in the state."
My kid's school did the same thing, only they take it a step further. It's called every 15 minutes. They take random seniors the night before (with parental permission) to a hotel and keep them sequestered. During the next school day, every 15 mins one of the sequestered students is brought into the school until the actual assembly. They are dressed in black and are not allowed to speak to anyone. That's because every 15 minutes someone is killed by a drunk driver. They represent those killed. It is terribly emotional when they realize a classmate has been lost and hits really hard when it's "your" friend. That reminds me of one of ad that the TAC has done. This one isn't graphic, but it sure makes you think. It really hits home when you realise that the potential victims of road trauma are your own loved ones.
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Post by its me mg on May 4, 2017 6:36:19 GMT
Sounds like ya'll do the Every 15 Minutes Program. It's actually great. In my school, the ones who were in the accident were the ones who partied. It really made an impact on them. And us.
They even get zipped in the body bag and taken to the mortuary.
It really brings everything "home" for the kids. While we all know drunk driving kills, it's pretty gnarly to imagine your classmate passing. That really strikes a chord.
If you think it's traumatizing to see a fake reenactment, imagine losing an actual kid to drunk driving.
The counselors are available to the participants, but it really isn't so traumatizing that the student body gets PTSD.
It also focuses on texting and driving as well as drunk driving.
I think the program is amazing.
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craftykitten
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,304
Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on May 4, 2017 7:27:26 GMT
There has been a programme of awareness here that uses the actual car from an incident so that people can see the damage. Obviously there is no blood and gore, but it has done a lot to remind everyone how vulnerable they are in a vehicle.
If your child was upset, then I am sorry. But I don't think the school should shy away from the devastating impact that drunk and drug driving has. You will never know how many lives this might have saved.
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Post by princess consuela on May 4, 2017 8:12:40 GMT
We also had this at our high school, and I've been out almost 15 years. We had no idea it was coming (maybe the first year for our school?) but I remember our teacher telling us all to go out to the field. We had the helicopter land, the cars set up, the people strewn about (I remember one being through the windshield). I'm pretty sensitive and I don't remember having any lasting effect from it.
A PP mentioned what else my school did, with certain students being pulled and an assembly. Actually, two years later, my brother was one of the participants in it. We actually had the freaking coroner come to our house, gather everyone, and tell us he had died in an accident. I remember my mom crying and just being like, "wow." At the assembly, I remember people speaking who had truly been affected by drunk driving (I remember a dad who lost his baby).
Anyway. It is graphic but it's reality. Sounds like they had counselors available if necessary, that seems good. Sorry it didn't sit well with you, though...
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Post by phoenixcov on May 4, 2017 8:34:03 GMT
A few children upset or the chance of even one life being saved, no contest. Well done to whomever organised that enactment at the school.
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Post by melanell on May 4, 2017 8:51:22 GMT
They did this at my school as well...and that was well over 20 years ago. I thought it was something that was done pretty much everywhere. It is very upsetting, and I do understand how it can seem wrong to not warn parents that you are going to do something that could leave kids seeking out help from counselors to deal with it. But, I think that part of the effectiveness of the program is that the kids are not be warned in advance. Because, unfortunately, a life-changing or life-ending accident comes with no advance warning. No one tells you that today is the day that this will happen to you if you are not careful. In my own school, even with this kind of program we still lost a student to drunk driving in our junior year. It seems like there is never enough that we can do to try to make our kids understand the danger in getting into a vehicle if the driver is not able to focus completely on their driving. (And quite honestly, that's not always enough to keep you safe, either. ) I'm so sorry, OP, that you and many of the kids were upset. Hugs!
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cycworker
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,387
Jun 26, 2014 0:42:38 GMT
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Post by cycworker on May 4, 2017 9:00:02 GMT
I'm going to side with the OP actually. I took an alcohol and drug course that showed these programs aren't, on the whole, very effective. It's just a short term shock value. The kids like you who were influenced to make good choices? Who still remember? It's not because of the program. It's because your life circumstances gave you protective factors that outweighed risk factors, making you resilient kids. You aren't the kids who needed it - you're highly unlikely to have ever driven drunk regardless.
And the kids who really need it? Who are truly at risk or in risk? They zone out in these group scenarios, so it doesn't stop them, either.
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Post by ScrapsontheRocks on May 4, 2017 9:19:14 GMT
Driving under the influence is, in my opinion, one of the most heinous things anyone anywhere could ever do.
Whether it is done through overconfidence, lack of self knowledge or self-control, sheer carelessness or in the spirit of not caring what may happen to oneself or anyone else on the road, there is absolutely no excuse for it. Anyone who does it is somewhere on the line between sheer evil and just plain stupid. Yes, I am aware that alcoholism is an illness, but the act of driving is a choice.
I applaud programmes such as the ones discussed here, while being conscious that distress to some is inevitable. So be it, if even ONE person thinks before driving under the influence (of drugs, alcohol or anything else) even if the shock value is of short-term duration, I still say it is worth a try.
Signed, someone whose family has lost someone to an underage, overprivileged young man who drove drunk several times before the fatal accident in question and was protected by his Daddy's millions. They covered it up the previous occasions and got him off for what I hope was his last "accident".
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tuesdaysgone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,832
Jun 26, 2014 18:26:03 GMT
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Post by tuesdaysgone on May 4, 2017 10:00:30 GMT
Sometimes the only way to reach teens is thru graphic shock. It will leave an impression. Just recently here in the Atlanta area, there were 6 teens killed in auto accidents in one day (2 different and unrelated accidents). In at least one case, possibly both, the teen driver was at fault. In one accident it was two brothers killed. I just cannot even begin to understand the grief all these parents are experiencing.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 4, 2017 10:09:41 GMT
I'm sorry....but assuming that every student in the student body can handle this....that none of them have lost someone that way, or have been in a dramatic accident, or that they are all in an emotionally stable place to begin with so that they can process this in a healthy way is bullshit.I agree with what I bolded. I am all for anti-drunk-driving campaigns, but what the OP described would have sent my dd to a mental crisis center. Some people have triggers. All parents should have been notified and given consent to this type of program.
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