CHS student Ariel Ware tries to walk a straight line as she wears goggles that simulate intoxication. Marion Couty Sheriff's Office Deputy Hunter Forbes watches.
By Josh Mitchell/Informer Publisher
In an effort to cut back on drinking and driving among local youth, the Columbia Police Department and Marion County Sheriff’s Office presented a program at Columbia High School this morning in which students participated in a simulated drunk driving experience.
Columbia High School senior Shayne Patterson admitted that he drinks about “every other weekend” but said he does not drink and drive. “That’s stupid,” said Patterson. “Don’t drink and drive. Sit somewhere.”
Patterson’s girlfriend Kourtney Johnson agreed that “everybody” drinks and that there are “most definitely” students at Columbia High School who drink and drive.
CHS senior Mario Warren said “95 percent” of the senior class drinks.
Student Ashley Creel drives the golf cart wearing the goggles. Deputy Lon Ward rides with her.
In the impairment simulations, students put on special goggles that when looked through give the feeling of intoxication. The students put on the goggles and drove a golf cart around an obstacle course in the school parking lot, crashing into cones. In another exercise students wore the goggles and tried to walk a straight line, and were unable to do so.
Columbia Police Chief Jim Kinslow said drinking a driving among high school students is a big problem nationwide. The exercise the students participated in today is valuable because it gives the children a feeling of what impairment is like in a safe environment, Kinslow added.
Moreover, the exercise is an opportunity for law enforcement to interact with the students and break down barriers and “get through to them,” the chief said.
Columbia Police Officer Justin McKenzie speaks to the students about the dangers of drinking and driving.
With prom coming soon, this was an ideal time to get students’ attention regarding the dangers of drinking and driving, Kinslow noted.
“everybody” drinks………
“95 percent” of the senior class drinks………..
These stats are disturbing. Rather than local law enforcement attempting to educate those who are “too smart” to be educated on the dangers of drinking and driving, perhaps David Hathorn or Larry Lott should have been on site with a hearse and stretcher. These two gentlemen could have offered the advice, “Drink and drive, and YOU have be getting a ride in this hearse on this very stretcher!”
It’s great to see our law enforcement enteracting with our youth. Perhaps drinking and driving will become a thing of the pass someday. To many good lives and loved ones are lost to people who are driving drunk.
I’m glad our law enforcement is trying to break through to these kids. They need to be told at this age, and not when it’s too late. There’s very few people that can say they haven’t lost someone to drunk driving. Kudos to all the guys dealing with DUI’s and sticking with it to prosecute those how act without thinking. Hopefully it will sink in one day and people will learn their lesson.
I think that “95% of columbia high school seniors drink” is a lie. there are more than 5 seniors that have never had a drink in their life. “everbody drinks” yes, they may have some drinks but not enough to get drunk.
You dont have to be drunk to go to jail. Impairment is the key. All of these kids are under 21 years old. It does not take enough alcohol to become “drunk” at .02….Mississippi is zero tolerance.
I am a proud senior at Columbia High School and I would like to note that I have never tasted even a drop of an alcoholic beverage. The comment “95 percent of the senior class drink” is false. I know plenty of seniors that do not drink.
Thanks, kd. I’m an adult who knows a lot of those kids and I thought that estimate was high. I’m not where they are on the weekends though so I didn’t want to make a naive statement. Thanks for letting us know there are those who are staying smart about these things.
Patterson was just picking.. he’s a good kid