In 1992 RID persuaded Maury Povich to present the nation’s first national TV talk show on teenage binge drinking and alcohol poisoning. RID provided the victims and the teenage studio audience. The flood of calls to RID following the airing of the show in December told us that the public was completely in the dark about alcohol poisoning , that lives could be saved by taking victims to the emergency room instead of putting them to bed, better still by avoiding binge drinking altogether. Each of the victims’ families that contacted us felt if they had known about alcohol poisoning, their child would probably still be alive today.
Released in June 1996, “Without Warning” took RID four years to bring together the parents of youth who had died due to alcohol poisoning. The lovely youths seen in the video are victims of a total lack of knowledge about the lethal effects of chugging alcohol.
Alcohol overdosing, the cause of such deaths, is rarely publicized but is all too common in youths under 21, conservatively estimated at 4,000 annually. The stories in this video told by the surviving family members are moving, unforgettable and instructive. 17 minutes running time for the video leaves ample time for discussion.
Working with these victims since 1992, RID has helped to uncover shocking information about the trauma of teenage alcohol poisoning. More youths die overdosing on alcohol than in alcohol-related DWI crashes. And, as parents tell us and the video vividly shows, it happens without any warning. This video, funded in part by a grant from Farmers’ Insurance Group, shows the heartfelt need for useful information, supported by a discussion guide and questionnaire.
Users in the field have been voicing their satisfaction. Eileen O’Connell, the Senior Counselor and Clinical Supervisor of the Adolescent Chemical Dependency Program conducted by the Fairview University Medical Center at five clinics in the Minneapolis area, says. “The length is perfect – long enough to give a lot of important information and short enough to maintain their interest, leading to tremendous discussions.” Bull’s-eye! She adds they use the video with their clients’ parents and siblings as well.
Teachers in Health and in Drivers’ Ed classes provide similar reports. Gwen Stephens teaches in Wisconsin. She writes, “I can’t thank you enough for the film ‘Without Warning.’ I showed it to my high school driver education students today and the room was silent when the film ended! The discussion afterwards was excellent. It really hit home for a lot of kids, …. It will be incorporated into both the middle and high school programs. I believe that this video and support material will make a difference. Thanks so much,
Gwen Stephens, Health and Driver’s Ed instructor
Bill Cullinane Director of SADD sums it up: “This video is a documentary piece that should be a crucial element in any prevention program. RID has taken an issue that far too long remained on the back burner and placed it in the spotlight.”
William F. Cullinane,
President and Executive Director, National SADD
And our government lends encouragement:“Your video was reviewed and found to be scientifically accurate, in conformance with public health principles and policies, and appropriate for the intended audience. It has been added to the Prevention Materials Data Base. … You are to be congratulated for producing this important product.”
Luisa del C. Pollard, MA., Director
National Clearing house for Alcohol
and Drug Information, of the
U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services
Some school districts are purchasing fifteen to twenty copies of the tape on the basis that stocking one in each high and middle school will encourage their regular use.
USING THE VIDEO IN VICTIMS IMPACT PANELS AND OTHER APPLICATIONS
In June, 1996 we decided to try out using “Without Warning ” as the first segment of a Victims Impact Panel for defendant drunk drivers. That is, the video would be shown followed by two victims of impaired drivers telling their stories, in place of our usual practice of hearing from three victims.
The audiences contain drivers of both genders and all ages from fifteen to over eighty.
Arguments in favor were: it contains vital, basic information which should be of interest to everyone. It may discourage teenage binge drinking, in which case there will be fewer drunk drivers on the road. If we are short of willing victims or are wearing them down, it will extend our resources and let us fill our panels without making so many requests of the victims.
Arguments against the idea were: the video says nothing about drunk driving. Our victims might feel that it is blocking out one third of their message.
We decided to try it and added a sentence to the evaluation sheets inviting a comment on the video.
The results have been an unqualified success. Seven counties that we know of have adopted the practice and we have thousands of evaluation sheets, overwhelmingly positive. “I want my daughter to see this.” “Show this in the schools.” “I learned more about alcohol than I have in fifty years of drinking. “
The victims like it. They tell us it establishes the non-confrontational atmosphere they want to project.
Other potential applications of the video are: college campuses (Freshman orientation), training programs for bar tenders, training programs for convenience store clerks, and training programs for the police. While the police have a person under arrest, they are responsible for his/her medical care, and should know the symptoms of alcohol poisoning.
As much as anybody, parents need to see this video. Parents who let their teenagers have beer parties’ at home where they’ll be safe need a rousing wake-up call.
Persons wanting more information about the video should send their questions by FAX to (518) 370-4917 or by U.S. Mail to:
RID-USA. Inc.
P.O. Box 520
Schenectady, NY 12301