Teens get graphic lesson on drinking and driving

The program is being presented at several schools this week.
& lt;a href=mailto:cioffi@vindy.com & gt;By LAURE CIOFFI & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
ELLWOOD CITY, Pa. -- The pictures were gruesome and graphic. Some teenagers had to get up and leave during the display.
But most of the students attending the Street Smart assembly Monday at Lincoln High School agreed the photographs made a point.
"It really shows you the effects of not wearing your seat belt and drinking and driving," said sophomore Joe Germanoski.
"It's not just for people who drive," added Marissa DeFonde, who says she will now always wear her seat belt whenever she rides in a car.
Orlando, Fla., paramedics Joe McCluan and Scott McIntyre are presenting the program at schools throughout the area this week including Union and Wilmington high schools in Lawrence County and George Junior Republic in Mercer County.
The presentation is part of Stay Alive from Education, a nonprofit organization created by firefighters and paramedics in Miami-Dade County, Fla., and dedicated to reducing teen injuries and fatalities. The programs were brought to this area by LaRusse Distributing of Tarentum, Pa., the local Anheuser-Busch wholesaler.
Effective presentation
"The paramedics' real-life stories have a powerful, long-lasting impact that we hope will encourage students to be responsible about the choices they make," said Lisa Georgiana, consumer awareness and education coordinator for LaRusse Distributing.
At Lincoln, the Students Against Driving Drunk club also helped pay for the program.
"I think our students were very affected by the program," said Lincoln Principal Donald Costa. "It was hard to watch."
McCluan and McIntyre make no bones about the graphic pictures of dead bodies and describing what happened to each victim during the crash. None wore seat belts. Most had been drinking alcohol or taking drugs, they said.
Several students left during the graphic display.
"We didn't bring these pictures here to entertain you guys," McCluan said. "All of the pictures are from drug- or alcohol-related accidents, and they [the victims] didn't have their seat belts on."
The two paramedics then pulled a student from the audience and walked him through what happens at a trauma scene.
From taking a pulse, to loading the victim onto a backboard, to simulating an IV-line being inserted, students saw what happens.
Students said it made an impact.
"It makes you realize what is going to happen to you," said sophomore Lisa DiPietro.
To learn more about Street Smart go to www.safeprogram.com
& lt;a href=mailto:cioffi@vindy.com & gt;cioffi@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;