UNDER AGE ALCOHOL PREVENTION PROGRAM

DRY2K

"TO PREVENT UNDER AGE ACCESS AND DESIRE FOR ALCOHOL"

DEVELOPED BY THE FONTANA POLICE DEPARTMENT, FONTANA CALIFORNIA

Welcome to DRY2K.  This program utilizes advanced features such as Java and Dynamic HTML and is best viewed at a resolution of 800 X 600.  We recommend the latest version of Internet Explorer.  

The DRY2K program was developed for and targeted at high school seniors in an attempt to reduce their desire for alcohol.  Looking at our past failures we decided to take a unique approach to improve our educational efforts aimed at alcohol in the high schools.  We spoke to several classes at different schools to find out if our existing programs had an impact on their use of alcohol. We then asked what elements would need to be included in a program to have an effect on their use of alcohol.  They told us they wanted a program that was entertaining, grabbed their attention, graphic, had real life stories about people their age or that of their younger brothers and sisters, and which addressed choices and consequences.

The DRY2K program was developed specifically to contain all the elements that the students assisting us said needed to be in an effective program.  This is a 45-minute multi-media interactive program, taking the student on an emotional roller coaster.  We start by entertaining and educating the student with cartoon characters, "Beer Dude and Boozer Babe" developed especially for the program.  Students then participate in a hands-on demonstration of the effects of intoxication.  Finally, they view and hear real life stories of teenage victims who were killed in alcohol related crashes.  This is a well-rounded program, which is both informative and emotional.

The theme of the educational program is choices and responsibilities.  The program is broken down into three sections:

FIRST SECTION

EDUCATION & ZERO TOLERANCE LAWS

This portion emphasizes the punitive consequences of possession of alcohol or drinking and driving.

SECOND SECTION

STUDENTS USE FATAL VISION GOGGLES 

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING IMPAIRED AND BEING DRUNK

NATIONAL STATISTICS INVOLVING ALCOHOL RELATED DEATHS

This portion emphasizes that "just a couple" of beers can have an impact you might not live through.

THIRD SECTION

WHAT A CRASH LOOKS LIKE

REAL LIFE STORIES OF VICTIMS

CONSEQUENCES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This section is very emotional and ties all the sections together.  It makes the student realize it might not be the person next to them that gets killed, but the person in their chair.

PROGRAM TO DATE

Microsoft Corporation has sponsored the program and supplied 1000 CD ROMS equipped with the entire classroom program and instructor's manual.  Over 600 of those CDs have been given out to Police Departments and Colleges throughout the U.S. and Canada.

IACP, Motorola 2000 Webber Seavey Award winner

Received at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference in San Diego California.

http://www.theiacp.org/awards/awards/webber/2000wswinners.htm

The program has received other positive comments on evaluations from the students who have viewed the presentation.  Among the highlights of the program they enjoyed were the explanation of the Zero Tolerance Laws and the stories of the victims involved in the car crashes.  Comments have included: "Now I know alcohol doesn’t do anything good at all."  "I don’t want my mom getting the news that I died from drunk driving, something I could have prevented."  "Drinking and driving sucks!"  "I would rather call my mom and ask for a ride as opposed to having a police officer tell her I am somewhere dying."

AVAILABILITY OF THE DRY2K EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM:

We have received such positive feedback from the educational program that we are working to maintain and expand the program.  The program is available on a CD-ROM which contains a full version of the program to be used on a stand-alone basis or in a class room environment.  The CD-ROM also contains a printable instructor’s manual to be used to assist in presenting the classroom version.  The strength of this program is that it is easily adaptable for use by law enforcement or other groups.  In Fontana, one officer spent only one month in a classroom environment giving this presentation to nearly 2000 high school students.

The program is geared to be effective on a budget of only $300.00 dollars (goggles).  The program is free and may be modified and personalized by other groups as long as the theme is not changed.  The only requirement for use is to advise the Fontana Police Department that your Department or Group will be utilizing the program.  Training on how to use and modify the program is available but not required.

AGENCIES ALREADY USING THE PROGRAM:

CALIFORNIA:  *Azusa PD, Burlingame PD, Chino PD, Chula Vista PD, Colton High School, Colton PD, Fairfax PD, Marin County Community College PD, Millbrae PD, Montclair PD, Pomona PD, Riverside PD, Rohnert Park Dept of Public Safety, Ross PD, San Anselmo PD, San Bernardino PD, San Bernardino County Sheriff, San Diego PD, Upland PD, Ventura County Sheriff*

ARIZONA: Winslow PD, CANADA: Ottawa Ontario Schools, CONNECTICUT: State Police, NEVADA: Sparks PD, NEW JERSEY: Atlantic City PD, NORTH CAROLINA: Wayne County Sheriff, RHODE ISLAND: Pawtucket PD, VERMONT: Vermont State Police, VIRGINIA: Richmond PD, WYOMING: Powell PD