Every Fifteen Minutes
Fighting Back Santa Maria, in conjunction with the California Highway Patrol and the Office of Traffic Safety, is taking a proactive step in educating local high school students about making mature decisions when alcoholic beverages are involved. The program’s name was conceived in 1990 when one alcohol-related traffic fatality occurred in the United States every fifteen minutes.
Every 15 Minutes is a two day program that challenges high school juniors and seniors to think about drinking, driving, personal safety and the responsibility of making mature decisions when lives are involved. Approximately 25 students participate in this program which begins with one student
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SANTA MARIA VALLEY
2175 South Bradley Road
Santa Maria, CA 93455
Tel: 805-346-1774
Fax: 805-614-4192
Our Mission: To make a difference in the lives of children, teens, and their families by empowering youth to stay alcohol and drug-free.
escorted out of class by the “Grim Reaper.” A uniformed officer will read the student’s obituary and the student is then taken to a mock cemetery where he/she will place his/her tombstone. To enhance the realism of the event, the student will not return to class. This will help friends and classmates understand what it would feel like if that student had actually died. The students will be sequestered in a private area on campus where they will have a chance to interact with members of the community and reflect on their day. All students will have the opportunity to complete pre-assigned homework assignments and lunch will be provided to all participants. Several of the students will participate in a simulated traffic collision that will be staged on campus. The participants involved in the collision will be made up by a professional moulage artist to enhance the realism of the exercise. The collision will be staged in front of the Junior and Senior student body. Law enforcement and emergency medical responders will respond to a 911 call for help and simulate a real-life rescue. One student will "die" on scene, two will be transported to the hospital. Parent participation in this event is critical and may include a police escort to the hospital. Another student will be given a field sobriety test, placed under arrest, and taken to jail.
Approximately 5 chaperones, primarily law enforcement and school staff personnel, will chaperone the retreat activities. During the retreat, students will participate in trust and team building activities and interact with community members who have been affected by poor choices involving alcohol. As the evening winds down, the students have the opportunity to write letters to friends and family members. Parents are encouraged to write letters to their child as well.
The following morning, students will be transported back to their school where they will participate in a school assembly, which will include a short video and several speakers. A catered reception will follow for all participants and their families. Parental attendance at the assembly is strongly encouraged. Audio and/or visual recordings of the students and agencies participating in this event may be used during the program for promotional purposes. Media personnel may be present and may request interviews with participating students. Parent participation includes (a) receiving a mock death notification, (b) writing a farewell letter to your child, (c) writing your child’s obituary and (d) attending the assembly. Throughout the program, counseling support services will be available as needed for students, parents and staff.
