Community News
Prom & Alcohol- Sheriff Griffin
By
Apr 20, 2006, 18:18

The dresses are hanging in the closet, the flowers are ordered and the parties are planned. Seems like everything is in place for Prom night.

Not just yet. Thursday morning the Decatur County Sheriff Department was on hand with 400 juniors and seniors to talk about being safe during Prom night. This year's Prom theme is Enchanted Knight and Prom Director, Amanda Regan wants to make sure the memories of prom night are of happy times and not of a tragedy.

Sheriff Wiley Griffin was introduced by Principal Tommy Howell.  Sheriff Griffin introduced Fatal Vision goggles. 

Students who put the different goggles on found out how alcohol alters your senses.  A great group of "volunteers" from the 11th and 12th grades and some staff demonstrated this to all.

The volunteers were asked to walk a line, and as you see, several could not even step on the line much less walk it.  As they were "demonstrating", Sheriff Griffin educated the group more on drinking and driving.

He told them;
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people your age.

Last year there were 298 teen traffic fatalities in the State of Georgia and, of those fatal crashes, 60% of the time the driver was male. (They drive on dates, they speed more, etc.)

Out of this group, almost half of you will drive to the prom/graduation night activities.  86% of you will stay out past midnight and half of you are planning to stay out past 2:00 a.m.  45% of you will drink and drive or ride with someone who has been drinking.

75% of you will feel pressure to drink from your friends.
57% of you will feel pressure to speed.
49% of you will feel pressure to use drugs.
Only 48% of you will wear your safety belt.

We’re going to give you an opportunity to experience impairment without the effects of the alcohol.  You will know and understand that you cannot perform as you should, or even how you think you can, under the influence of drugs/alcohol.  Let’s make a difference in the statistics this year.

Ever wondered what a DUI can cost if there is NO crash involved?
Bond    = $700
Fine   = $1200
DUI School  = $490 (Course is Required)
Probation  = $30 per WEEK while on probation
Community Service = 40 Hours
Jail Time  = 24 Hours

You will remain on probation until you have completed your community service, jail time, DUI school AND paid all of your fines.  Remember you will pay $30 per week EVERY week you are on probation.

Have you ever heard people say…

He/She wasn’t that drunk.
Does how drunk REALLY matter?  Does minimizing the condition lessen the consequences?  (no!)

…it wasn’t that bad.
How bad was it supposed to be?  How bad does it HAVE to be?
Bad compared to what?

I didn’t mean to get drunk.
Did you mean to drink alcohol?  If it was not your decision, whose was it?
If you were not in control of your own behavior, who was?

I only had two.
You only had two in the last 30 minutes?  Hour? 
You only had two in WHAT time period? 
How long ago did you drink the other 4 or 8?

I never get that drunk.
Most people do not notice impairment when several drinks are consumed over a period of time.  With these goggles you instantly feel the SAME effects as though you consumed that amount of alcohol without the alcohol clouding your judgement.

Things to remember:

If you are not 21 it is illegal for you to consume any amount alcohol and illegal for anybody to give you alcohol.

Remember the restrictions on your license if you have a class D (which high schoolers have).

Restrictions include:

CURFEW:  you’re not supposed to be driving between midnight and 6:00 a.m.

PASSENGERS:  you’re not supposed to have passengers under the age of 21 for the first six months you hold your class D license.  You are not allowed to have more than 3 passengers in your car at any time.

SEATBELTS:   Seatbelts are required by law to be worn by every passenger

DUI: If you’re involved in a crash ANY amount of alcohol will result in a DUI charge.  If you’re stopped and are drinking .02 will result in a DUI. There is a zero tolerance for underage drinking.  If you’re given a DUI you will not be allowed to upgrade to a Class C license.