Spring break is just around the corner, conjuring images of road trips, beaches, late night parties and more than anything else, drinking.
Despite stricter laws and harsh punishments for underage drinking, minors being sited for possession is still a common result of spring break.
Taking pre-emptive action to discourage negligent activity, the Clarkston High School PTSA organized an assembly of guest speakers to talk to seniors from Clarkston and Renaissance high schools on March 23.
The assembly started with a student-made presentation on Jacqueline Saburido, a young woman who was severely disfigured after being hit by a drunk driver. Following the presentation, Cindy McCue, founder of Be Responsible About Drinking, spoke to the students about others who perished because of excessive drinking, including her own son Brad.
‘I’d like to think that every single one of you is never going to drink until you’re 21, and when you choose to drink at that point that you’ll do it responsibly, that you’ll do it in moderation,? McCue said.
Seeing the improbability of her hopes, McCue proceeded to explain ways to help someone who has had too much to drink which might help save their life.
Following McCue was Judge Dana Fortinberry, who worked with CHS students before for court school. Fortinberry first reminded students about the tragedies and legal ramifications of underage drinking
‘Keep in mind, from a legal standpoint, anyone who’s under the age of 21 cannot drive a car after consuming any amount of alcohol whatsoever. That’s called zero tolerance,? Fortinberry said.
Fortinberry spoke briefly before turning the microphone over to Brad Erlandson. Erlandson, a Clarkston resident, was paralyzed from the waste down after a drunk driving accident and is restricted to a wheelchair. Before his accident, Erlandson admitted to having bad habits himself.
‘Back in the 70’s… there was this idea that if everybody could ‘just get stoned? we would have a utopian society,? Erlandson said. ‘I kind of bought into that for a while.?
Erlandson said he had a religious awaking though, which showed him that his and everyone’s lives have a purpose. So he went to college, earned a master’s degree, got married and had two children. Everything seemed good until April 26, 2002 when on his way home from work, Erlandson was hit by a drunk driver while he drove down Baldwin Road.
Erlandson recounted the details of his recovery, including physical and occupational therapy where he had to relearn simple tasks.
‘I sincerely believe that one of the reasons people get drunk, drink to excess, is because they’ve lost sight of their purpose,? Erlandson said. ‘When I was 19 years old, I realized I could be happy, I could be productive and I could accomplish things without alcohol or drugs.?