Every fifteen minutes someone in the United States dies from an alcohol
related traffic collision. The Every 15 Minutes Program offers real-life
experience without the real-life risks.
At Eisenhower High School, the day began with the "Grim Reaper" calling
students out of class. Someone entered the classroom to read
an obituary which explained the circumstances of their classmate's demise
and the contributions the student made to the school and the community.
A few minutes later, the student returned to class as the "living
dead," complete with
white face make-up and a black Every 15 Minutes T-shirt. From that point
on "victims" did not speak or interact with other students.
Later in the morning, a simulated traffic collision occured in front
of the school. Rescue workers treated the injured student participants.
These students experienced first hand, the sensations of being involved
in a tragic, alcohol-related collision. The coroner handled the fatality
on the scene, while the injured students were extricated by the jaws-of-life
manned by Fire-Fighters and Paramedics. Police Officers investigated,
arrested, and booked the student "drunk driver". Student participants
continued their experience by an actual trip to the morgue, the hospital
emergency room, and to the police department jail for the purpose of
being booked for "drunk driving".
On the following morning, a mock funeral service was held.
The focus of the assembly stressed that the decision to consume alcohol
can affect many more people than just the one who drinks.