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Deer Park HS seniors learn valuable lesson for life Deer Park High School hosted the Suffolk County STOP-DWI program for its senior class members. In conjunction with Suffolk County Police, Probation, and the District Attorney's Department and Long Island's Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), students were exposed to a comprehensive presentation on the negative effects of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Highway Safety Program Manager Doug Death led the presentation describing the STOP-DWI program as an active public awareness campaign, which includes enforcement, prosecution, probation, rehabilitation, public information and education. Suffolk County Highway Patrol Officer and Deer Park graduate Charles Boyle spoke to the students on the actions and characteristics patrol officers identify in a person who is potentially driving under the influence. As part of an interactive demonstration, Officer Boyle invited one of the students onto the stage to wear the "drunk goggles." The goggles affected the student's vision and equilibrium, simulating a drunk driver's condition. Officer Boyle then led the subject through standardized field sobriety tests, illustrating the student's inability to successfully complete any of the coordinated tasks. Assistant District Attorney Joshua Shapiro educated the students on the legal proceedings that follow after a DWI arrest. He emphasized the lengthy court process, including the high cost of fines, possible jail time, and the accompanying criminal record. Senior Probation Officer Andrea Neubauer described the constraints of probation as an alternative to jail time. While probation keeps offenders outside the walls of a jail cell, Officer Neubauer described the limiting lifestyle and sacrificed freedoms that accompany a probation sentence. Students were enlightened on the misconceptions of probation, learning that leaving the county is a violation and that random drug and alcohol tests and property searches are commonplace and can be subject to further compounding punishment. President and victim advocate for MADD Dina Cohen detailed her tragic and personal life experience. A drunk driver killed her daughter and now she has turned her loss into an opportunity to support others through their battle as victims of drunk drivers. Ms. Cohen recounted the day's events and the weeks that followed as her daughter lay in a coma in a hospital bed after countless hours of brain surgery.
Overall, the Deer Park seniors were hit with the stark reality of the consequences of drunk driving and left the program with the constant truth that their daily actions affect not only their lives, but also the lives of those around them. The goal of the program is to instill this valuable lesson, and ensure it remains with them for life. Shown, left to right, standing are Deer Park High School Assistant Principal Mary Reynolds, who helped coordinate Assistant District Attorney Joshua Shapiro, Highway Safety Program Manager Doug Death and Highway Patrol Officer Charles Boyle and seated are Senior Probation Officer Andrea Neubauer, and President and victim advocate for MADD Dina Cohen makeup the expert panel in the STOP-DWI program at Deer Park.
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