Laughlin is the fundraising chairwoman of Rockville’s Magruder High School anti-drinking and driving program, Every 15 Minutes, scheduled for March 17-18.
What is Every 15 Minutes?
This is a two-day program that allows our juniors and seniors to experience the reality of the aftermath of a DWI crash in a surreal setting.
Montgomery County police and fire and rescue workers, emergency room personnel, a funeral home, as well as many families, friends, and community volunteers are included in creating the realism of this event. Our goal is simple: To save lives.
What happens in the program?
The event features an overnight retreat for student participants, the “living dead,” who represent the statistic when the program started in the 1990s, of one person dying from an alcohol-related accident in the United States every 15 minutes. Every 15 Minutes climaxes with an assembly where participants read a letter they wrote to their family at the retreat, describing how the experience has affected them, and focusing on the loss of contact with their loved ones. Our program will also address other unsafe decisions, such as speeding, not buckling the seat belt, driving when sleepy, and cell-phone use while driving, which too often result in a preventable tragedy.
Have you seen how the program works?
Yes, Every 15 Minutes reminds us all of the dangers associated with driving while impaired. The program works. It is very graphic and does shock these teens back to reality. Education is a powerful tool; if we invest in our youth while they are young and molding they might not cost us later down the road with a unnecessary tragedy.
How is the program funded?
The program is funded 100 percent with Magruder High School volunteers that reach out to the community for financial support; without community support this program is not possible.
Scott McCabe
