By DON STINE
Ocean Township High School and Hillel Yeshiva students will have a rude awakening soon about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The Rude Awakening Program is a nationally-recognized drunk-driving awareness program geared toward junior and senior high school students. The program is scheduled to be presented to students of the Ocean Township High School and Hillel Yeshiva High School in the spring.
“It will be given to every junior and senior in the schools. It’s an in-your-face program about fatal automobile accidents,” said Police Administrative Lieutenant Timothy R. Torchia, who is the department’s social media officer.
On Feb. 11, the Ocean Township police hosted the second public meeting for the Rude Awakening program at the municipal building. The meeting, coordinated by Special Officer II James Roese and Traffic Safety Officer Alisa Martinez, was to briefly explain the program and seek volunteers interested in assisting with the presentation of the program.
The next meeting, which will continue to seek volunteers to help with the program, will be held on Thurs., March 19 at 7 p.m. at the Township Council chambers in the municipal building at Deal and Monmouth roads.
“Anyone interested in helping out with the program should show up that night,” Torcia said.
He said that volunteers are needed to help with operations, activities with students, managing the events and operations, and for other jobs.
Interested people can also telephone Traffic Safety Officer Alisa Martinez at 732-531-1800, extension 2255 or e-mail her at AMartinez@OceanTwp.org
Hillel Yeshiva students will have their program on Fri., April 24 at Palaia Park and Ocean Township High School students on Fri., May 15 at the high school.
Rude Awakening is a drug and alcohol program designed to educate high school seniors and juniors about the dangers of drinking or doing drugs while operating a motor vehicle. About 1,500 students in Ocean Township will participate this year.
The program includes speakers explaining law enforcement efforts to deal with DWI drivers; trauma room nurses and EMTs describing DWI accidents; and talks about the ordeals of students and family members affected fatal or tragic accidents.
A court judge will also describe legal consequences, including possible law suits and the loss of driving privileges.
Students will experience what it’s like to drive drunk under a course that simulates the experience while driving a golf cart; witness airbag deployment in simulated accidents on passengers, including infants; and the result of a crash as they watch a car being dropped from a crane high above the ground to reach speeds of vehicles involved in accidents.
Donations by residents and businesses are also welcome because it costs about $22,000 to run the programs. To donate also contact Officer Martinez.
