AL:  ‘Under Age, Under Arrest’ talk delivered at Central Coosa Middle School

The Outlook

By Donald Campbell

October 18, 2017

Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board delivered a sobering presentation to the students of Central Coosa Middle School Monday afternoon.

Called “Under Age, Under Arrest,” the program was created by the ABC Board administrator four years ago. Since then, 75,000 students across the state have heard this presentation, according to Dean Argo, the government relations and communications manager with the ABC Board.

“We want to make sure young people understand the consequences of underage drinking and drinking and driving,” Argo said.

The presentation included talks from Argo, Coosa County Schools Superintendent Andi Wilson and School Resource Officer Bradgel Moon. Most powerful, though, was the part of the presentation given by Beth Chancellor, a representative of MADD who has seen the effects of drinking and driving first-hand.

“My husband was killed by a drunk driver. My oldest son and I were seriously injured in the crash,” Chancellor said. “It’s been a rough road for us, but we’re not going to give up.”

Chancellor went on to describe the wreck’s impact on her family, including how her older son’s brain was messed up as a result, and what it has been like for her younger son to grow up and not have a father around him. However, the incident has impacted more than just her family, she said.

“The person who hit us made a stupid, stupid decision,” Chancellor said. “He was in his early 20s when it happened, and he is going to have to spend the next 20 years in jail because of what he did.”

Even though Chancellor said it can be hard to tell her story and relive the events of that night, she believes in what she does and plans to continue talking to students about the consequences of mixing alcohol and driving.

“It gives me a purpose, trying to make something positive come from all of this,” she said.

Argo, Wilson and Moon also had important words for the assembled students.

“You’re probably wondering why we’re here talking to you about this today, when you’re not old enough to have your license and be driving,” Argo said. “Well, most of your moral decisions, you start making in middle school. We want you to be a leader and to follow the law.”

“You’ve heard a couple of powerful stories today,” Wilson said. “It may be hard to say no at times. Every choice you make, it not only can affect you, but it can affect others as well.”

“I always say positive choices lead to positive consequences and negative choices lead to negative consequences. Always make the right decision,” Moon said, also reminding the students of his open door policy where they can come and talk to him whenever they need to.

The school also used this presentation to prepare students for the upcoming Red Ribbon Week, a special time set aside to remind the students of the dangers of drug abuse. In order to increase participation and awareness, counselor Sarah Hogan listed off the different themes for each day of Red Ribbon Week.

Students are encouraged to wear black for “Black out against drugs” on Monday, a crazy hat Tuesday for “Put a cap on drugs,” tie-dye, neck ties and hair ties for “Don’t let drugs tie you down” on Wednesday, red on Thursday to put a stop to drugs, and their favorite team apparel for “Team up against drugs” on Friday.

After the assembly concluded and the students returned to class, Argo said he felt this program had been a successful one.

“Underage drinking across Alabama has dropped over the past few years. We feel like this has contributed to that,” he said. “I know it sounds cliché, but if we can reach just a couple of students, then the program is definitely worth it.”