Scare Tactics Used to Prevent Drunk Driving
We were shocked to read about last month’s scandal at El Camino high school in
San Diego, CA, where highway patrol officers visited the school one Monday and told students that many of their classmates had been killed in drunk driving crashes over the weekend. The news frightened students, resulting in a hysterical frenzy in classrooms and hallways as students grieved for 26 of their classmates, who they believed had died. Later in the day, the “dead” students returned to school, revealing that the entire plan was a hoax that was intended to scare students away from drinking and driving. School officials claim that scare tactics, like this, are effective in preventing dangerous behavior: “[Students] were traumatized, but we wanted them to be traumatized,” said guidance counselor Lori Tauber. “That’s how they get the message.” However, putting severe psychological distress on students is an unethical and irresponsible way to try and teach a positive message about drinking. The community would be much better served by trying to teach students about responsible and safe drinking, so that they can make educated choices about drinking and driving. When a student learns about the consequences of drinking and driving, that knowledge will stay with them for life. Scare tactics, on the other hand, create fears that can fade over time, possibly leading to dangerous decisions in the future.
July 5th, 2008 at 12:41 am
In some jurisdictions, making a false statement like this is a criminal offense similar to perjury.
If I were the parent of one of these students, I would immediately enroll my child in a private school. Then, I would sue the city and the school district for causing emotional distress by knowingly making false statements.
What were they thinking when they did this? What if one of the students was so distressed over it that they committed suicide? I’m sure they didn’t consult any psychological experts beforehand on the effects of their little ‘experiment’.
This could never be done to a group of adults without causing national public outrage.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:51 am
wWw, and people say kids act irresponsibly. This will only reinforce a typical teen’s belief that when it come to information on drugs, sex and alcohol, adults cannot be trusted. Great job El Camino.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:52 am
please correct wWw to Wow. thanks.
December 8th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
How disgusting is this? If anything, this will cause those kids to drink even more.
December 15th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I saw this at my school. Someone doesn’t die every 15 minutes form drunk driving incident. Dunk driving is now described as “Hardcore of Alcoholics who don’t respond to public appeal” says former MADD president Katherine Prescott. Drunk driving is now less of a problem than 25 years ago. It made me think that prohibition saved lives! Prohibition ruined more lives than saved! Most fatalities occur with the drunk driver him/herself. NOBODY DRIVES DRUNK ANYMORE BUT HARDCORE ALCOHOLICS!