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April 1, 2010
Contact:
James Hancock, South High School, (907) 742-6200
Heidi Embley, ASD Communications, (907) 742-4158
Program aims to reduce teen DUI’s and alcohol related deaths.
Who: South High School Students
What: DUI Crash Simulation with APD, AFD, Alaska Regional Hospital
When: 8:40 a.m. Wednesday April 14; 8:40 a.m. Thursday April 15
On Wednesday, April 14 and Thursday, April 15, South High School students will participate in the Every 15 Minutes program, which simulates a DUI crash, in an effort to reduce the number of teens injured or killed in drunk driving accidents each year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, accounting for more than one in three deaths in this age group. In 2005, 4,544 teens, ages 16 to 19, died of injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes. Twenty-three percent of teen drivers, ages 15 to 20, who died had a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher.
South High School and the Anchorage School District are taking a proactive step by educating local high school students about making mature decisions when alcoholic beverages or other substances are involved.
As a part of this effort, South’s Every 15 Minutes Club will sponsor the program, with cooperation of the Anchorage Police Department, Anchorage Fire Department and Alaska Regional Hospital. State Farm Insurance granted $4,500 to help stage this event.
The crash simulation will include student actors, police officers, medical personnel and the fire department. The event will begin the at 8:40 a.m. on April 14. Even though every 15 Minutes program is a simulation, emergency personnel will respond to the crash as if it were real. A mock memorial service with speakers will follow on April 15. The entire student body will attend both days’ events.
The Every 15 Minutes program takes place annually at various high schools nationwide. The program is proven to have a tremendous impact in the lives of teens, especially those who are involved in the simulation.
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