Every 15 Minutes gives students unforgettable lesson against drunk driving

Most of us don’t remember school assemblies, and if we do, we recall pep rallies celebrating football games. As a parent, last week I attended an assembly that neither my daughter or I will ever forget. Presented by the California Highway Patrol, the California Office of Traffic Safety and the local district attorney’s office, the Every 15 Minutes program dramatized the tragedy of a collision caused by a drunk driver.

A mock drunk driving accident was staged, resulting in the bloody death of a young person – a once vibrant life destroyed, and a body taken away by a funeral home. To further illustrate the catastrophic outcome of such an accident, a local family whose child was killed by a drunk driver shared their story of loss and grief. I commend them for their bravery and courage. Their moving and touching story affected everyone in attendance.

Thank you to San Joaquin Memorial High School and all the organizations involved with presenting this important and worthwhile assembly. I encourage every high school that is not currently presenting the Every 15 Minutes program to schedule it for their students. It is a high school assembly that will never be forgotten.

This story was originally published March 27, 2017 at 4:19 PM with the headline "Every 15 Minutes gives students unforgettable lesson against drunk driving."