| DUI, driving while intoxicated, is a very bad idea. It can | | | | they witness a mock crash, complete with paramedics, |
| get a lot of people hurt. It can even get them killed. | | | | police, and fire and rescue. The grim reaper shows up |
| There a lot of prevention programs out there. One of | | | | to take away the dead. The drunk driver is then |
| them is called Every Fifteen Minutes. | | | | arrested. |
| The Every Fifteen Minutes program originated in | | | | Every fifteen minutes thereafter, a student who is prior |
| Canada. The first Every Fifteen Minutes program took | | | | chosen is removed from the class. A police officer |
| place in Chico. It was done by the Chico police | | | | then informs the class that their classmate has been |
| department in 1995. | | | | "killed" in an alcohol related incident. The students |
| It was brought to the US, starting in Spokane, WA. The | | | | chosen for this program are picked in September of |
| success of the program in preventing DUI among | | | | that year. In reality, students that are removed from |
| Junior and Seniors in high school has been good. It has | | | | the classroom spend the night doing non-alcoholic |
| spread throughout the United States. | | | | activities, and discussing the dangers of drinking and |
| This program is geared towards junior and senior high | | | | driving at a lock in. |
| school students. It is usually planned to be done on or | | | | The next day, students that were removed are |
| right before the week of prom or homecoming. | | | | returned to their classes. They are not allowed to |
| Schools plan the summer before. | | | | speak during the day. Some schools elaborate by |
| This program discusses many alcohol related dangers. | | | | having the "dead" wear grave stone signs with their |
| The two the focus on the most are alcohol poisoning | | | | name and how they died printed on it. |
| and drunk driving. They often involve several law | | | | At the end of the day, the student body is gathered |
| enforcement agencies, hospitals, and real parents. The | | | | for an assembly. This assembly wraps up the two day |
| class doesn't just focus on avoiding a DUI traffic ticket, | | | | program. Police officers run it. They sometimes show |
| it saves lives. | | | | horrifying crash sites in a slide show. These images |
| Each school's version of the program is different, but | | | | are often graphic. |
| the concept is the same. Two days are dedicated to | | | | After the slide show, the program is turned over to the |
| the event. It then wraps up with an assembly that | | | | volunteers of the program. This includes the dead |
| stresses the importance of staying sober in relation to | | | | students, and their parents. They read testimonials |
| the events the students have witnessed over the two | | | | about their experience in the event. Sometimes, the |
| days. The event order follows below. | | | | parents will read letters they have written to their dead |
| On the morning of the first day, the student body is | | | | children. |
| gathered outside, normally to the football field. There | | | | |