Bell Gardens High Hosts "Every 15 Minutes"

MONTEBELLO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

123 South Montebello Boulevard / Montebello, California 90640-4729

(323) 887-7900 ● (562) 806-7900

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                     CONTACT: Alisha Rosas
April 16, 2010                                                                                                                (909) 447-2405

Bell Gardens High School Hosts ‘Every 15 Minutes’ to Increase Student Awareness of the Consequences of Drinking Alcohol

WHAT:            Every 15 minutes, someone in the United States dies from an alcohol-related traffic collision. For that reason, Bell Gardens High School will be hosting its “Every 15 Minutes” event for its senior students to increase awareness among them of the dangerous consequences involved when drinking alcohol occurs.            

                  This powerful program will challenge students to think about drinking, personal safety, and the responsibility of making mature decisions when lives are involved. Every 15 minutes throughout the day of the event, participating students will be called from class by the “Grim Reaper,” to represent a student who died as a result of an alcohol-related traffic collision. 

                  Later in the day, a simulated-traffic accident will be viewable on the school grounds. This event is made possible thanks to Safe Schools/Healthy Students Grant and the support of the local community, who are donating their time, effort and equipment to help increase awareness among students of the dangers of drinking alcohol and the consequences that result. Some community organizations involved in this event, include: Downey Hospital, Bell Gardens Police Department, Montebello School Police, Bell Gardens Fire Department, De Paul Center, United Tow, Allen-English & Estrada Mortuary, Care Ambulance Services, JLP Productions, Montage Sound and Judge Ramirez.

WHEN:                  Noon – Simulated-Traffic accident at Bell Gardens High School

                        Wednesday, April 21, 2010

WHERE:            Bell Gardens High School

                        6119 Agra Street

                        Bell Gardens, CA 90201

VISUALS:              Volunteer Rescue workers will treat (mock) injured student participants. These                                     students will experience first hand, the sensations of being involved in a tragic, alcohol-                        related collision. The coroner will handle fatalities on the scene, while the injured                                     students will be taken for medical care. Law enforcement will investigate, arrest, and                         book the student "drunk driver". Student participants will continue their experience by                         an actual trip to the morgue, the hospital emergency room, and to the police                                     department jail for the purpose of being booked for             "drunk driving."

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