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Even the girls tried out the firefighter turnout gear.
Inside the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office mobile DUI command center.
Sheriff Paul Babeu speaks to students about drinking and driving.
Superior students walk the line with the ‘drunk goggles’ on.
Superior students get up close on the Native Air helicopter.
Superior students drive the course with the ‘drunk goggles’ on.
Superior Sun
Superior High School held a special DUI event that included many hands on events for the students. They enjoyed talks from Sheriff Paul Babeu, Pinal County Attorney Landos Voyles and Mayor Jayme Valenzuela. Elizabeth Magallanez with the Substance Abuse Coalition and Mel Martinez, Volunteer Firefighter coordinated this special event for the students. It was a fantastic turn out and the students learned a great deal. This time last year a Mock DUI accident was put on for the students. “This is a different spin on the wonderful Mock DUI crash sponsored by the Superior Fire Department for the past two year,” said Elizabeth Magallanez. “These events take many hours of planning and it is always rewarding to work with such professional organizations.” Sheriff Babeu said, “We want to ensure that our youth don’t make additional bad decisions when some choose to experiment with alcohol or drugs. Impaired driving has taken the lives of Superior youth in recent years. We are proud to partner on this proactive effort to educate, build trust and save lives.”
The Sheriff Deputies spent time talking with the students and had them wear alcohol simulation goggles and walk a straight line and drive a golf cart thru traffic cones in the parking lot. There were different strengths of the alcohol simulated goggles and it was interesting to watch people walk in a straight line. Some couldn’t do it, they were falling, swaying, couldn’t see in front of them. It seemed to be a difficult task. One of the officers walked with the goggles with ease. Mel Martinez from the fire department wanted to try it and it was difficult for him. The students that drove through the golf cart through the cones were challenged, but no one was hurt and let us hope that lessons were learned.
Alcohol affects your brain, body, self control and ultimately can kill you. It is important to know the laws, stay informed and know the risks. If you have a friend who has a drinking problem encourage your friend to stop or seek help. Everyone should do their part to keep the members of our community safe and to help prevent a possible tragedy. Remember the life you safe could ultimately be your own.
The youth had the opportunity to visit with the Superior Fire Department and tour the gear. Firefighter’s Jason Barragon and Mel Martinez and a member of the Sheriff’s department spoke at the fire station to the youth about the importance of not drinking and driving and told some horrible stories they have experienced recently. The youth were able to check out the fire equipment and even got to experience putting on the fire department turn out gear. They crawled through the fire station on hands and knees to rescue a pretend person. One of the students even raced Chief Todd Pryor and Chief Pryor won! The students really enjoyed this.
Just before lunch the Air Evac/Native Air made a grand entrance on the Superior Football Field. Dave the EMT on board spoke to the students about what it entails to be on board the helicopter and some of the life threatening events they have to deal with on a regular basis. Air Evac/Native Air had a booth and answered medical questions from students and promoted job opportunities with their company. Air Evac/Native Air is used when situations are life threatening and need immediate attention. The care they provide is similar to the care you would receive in a hospital intensive care unit.
Thank you to the sponsors for making this a special event and caring so much for our youth: Native Air, Air Evac, Resolution Copper Safety Dept., Casa Grande Alliance – SADD Students Against Destructive Decisions, MADD – Mothers Against Destructive Decisions; SSAC – Superior Substance Abuse Coalition. Special thanks to Elizabeth Magallanez and Mel Martinez who both put in countless hours and time to make events like these happen in our community!
Nina Crowder is a resident of Mammoth. She volunteers in several local organizations. She covers events throughout the Copper Corridor and Superior Town and School governance.
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