Student Looking to Help Peers Make Smart Choices
By Susan Parmelee, reprinted from the SC TImes | December 4, 2014
The Wellness & Prevention Center approached Leslie Schuda, activities director at SCHS, to spearhead the MADD “Tie One On For Safety” public awareness campaign. Ms. Schuda and San Clemente high school junior Emily Africa lead a group of student volunteers in tying red ribbons on the driver’s door handles of cars in the San Clemente high school parking lot this week.
“I know it can be hard to always make the right choice and I want the students at our high school to take the lead in reminding our community to always designate a safe driver,” Africa said of her reasons for supporting this Mothers Against Drunk Driving program.
The teen volunteers will also make ribbons available to local businesses to hand out to community members and will have ribbons at the San Clemente High School administration office for pick-up. If you would like to arrange for ribbons delivered to your local organization or business please call 949.680.0516.
MADD started the Tie One On For Safety® public awareness campaign in 1986 to remind everyone that drinking and driving do not mix. The days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s are some of the most dangerous of the year on US roadways.
The red ribbons are an excellent prompt to get you and your kids talking about the dangers of underage drinking. MADD reports that compared with non-drinking classmates, teens who drink are more likely to: die in a car crash, get pregnant, fail or drop-out of school, be sexually assaulted, become an alcoholic, take their life through suicide, and possibly move on to using other illegal substances.
We should all be aware of the risks of using and driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, and prescription and over the counter medications. A teen that has used a cold medication may not be able to drive safely. Know how medications affect you before getting behind the wheel.
Model designated driving behavior for kids of every age by never drinking and driving yourself. Call your driving teen to pick you up from a holiday party. Take a cab to and from your holiday parties and let your kids see you making this healthy choice. And most importantly, let your teen know you will pick them up from a party—no questions asked. I also encourage every parent to know exactly who your kid is getting in a car with and asking your child, “Are you sure this person will be safe driving tonight?”
Support Emily and her friends by tying a red ribbon on our driver’s door handle—pick one up at the high school or dig around in the gift-wrap box, any red ribbon will do. Let our teens know we care about them and our entire community’s safety this holiday season.
