Billboard Message September 2009

This should shock and alarm you.

In 2007, students in Montcalm County Middle and High schools took the Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY) survey, a self-reporting assessment. This survey asked questions regarding the health and habits of Montcalm County youth, including nutrition, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

One of the questions involved whether or not youth had ridden with a drinking driver in the past 30 days. The question did not ask whether it was another youth, a parent, a friend or relative. But over ¼ of our Montcalm County high schoolers admitted to have ridden with a drinking driver.

Adults have the greatest impact on a child’s life during this time. What kind of impact are you making? Are you the parent, grand parent, aunt, uncle or older sibling that showed by your actions that it is okay to drink and drive? Adults lead by example; be the example that you would want your 14 or 16 year old to follow. If you are a parent, know who your children are driving with, and be sure to communicate your expectations with them. They should know that you disapprove of drinking and driving and why. Talk with your children, grand children, nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives about how reaction times are slowed after drinking alcohol, there is greater opportunity for them to be injured in an automobile accident when alcohol is involved and greater risk for death.

Above all, you have the power to help change attitudes that it is acceptable behavior to drink and drive. You can be a model to other adults.

Let us keep our youth safe and give them a positive role model to follow.