WINNEMUCCA - School district and EMS officials have postponed a much-anticipated anti-alcohol program in light of the weekend death of a Lowry High School student.
"Every 15 Minutes" is a two-day program which demonstrates to high school students the impact drinking and driving has on themselves, their families, friends and the community.
The program is highlighted by a simulated traffic collision near the high school, involving an impaired teenage driver and a fatally injured victim.
A mock accident and its entire aftermath was scheduled to be filmed and shown to students during an assembly on Tuesday, May 1.
The program was set to kick off Monday, April 30, with a series of events and activities aimed at replicating the emotional impact of drinking and driving.
"This is an extremely emotional and impactful program," said Humboldt General Hospital EMS Rescue Director Pat Songer. "When we are able to present it, it will bring great benefit to the students at Lowry High School."
Still, Songer said he and high school officials will wait for a more appropriate time to present the program locally.
"Right now we need to allow Lowry High School and our community to grieve over the loss of this accident victim."
Humboldt County School District Superintendent Mike Bumgartner said earlier that the district is 100 percent supportive of the "Every 15 Minutes" program.
"Humboldt County has certainly experienced many tragedies over the years with regard to alcohol, and this program is just one more way - one more tactic - to help ensure that we don't experience any more of that."
Debbie Watts, principal of Lowry High School in Winnemucca, echoed Bumgartner's sentiments in earlier comments as well. "We love our students, we want them to make good decisions, we want them to be safe. If this program can help further that mission for us, we are 100 percent on board."
Funding for the program has come through many community donations. Songer said all existing donations will go toward the program once it is presented in Winnemucca.
"When that will be, we don't know right now," he said, "but we are looking at the 2012-2013 school year."
He added, "We look forward to the opportunity to educate our youth on the dangers of drinking and driving. We want to keep them safe and sober."
For more information on "Every 15 Minutes," please call HGH EMS Rescue at (775) 623-5222, ext. 260.
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