Your Life, Your Choice Hits Local Teens

WESTERVILLE, Ohio—Years ago, a program called Scared Straight involved prisoners yelling and screaming at young people to scare them out of trouble.

Dublin City Schools are taking a new approach with a program called Your Life, Your Choice.

More than 1,000 seniors from all three high schools in Dublin gathered for an emotional program Wednesday, featuring three prisoners, a woman in a wheelchair and real-life videos of fatal accident scenes.

Dublin officers, Franklin County sheriff’s deputies and Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers were also on hand to warn students about drinking and driving this prom season and during the rest of their lives.

Some of the law enforcement was there to guard the convicts.

The prisoners who spoke had several drunk-driving convictions.

One prisoner said he had five beers the night he received his third DUI.

He told the students they have a choice right now and to make the right one in order to save their lives and those of others.

He says alcohol affects everyone, not just the drinker.

“You just feel a little sorry for everyone and you just feel like there’s something you should do out there to help anybody that’s been hurt … and you should never get in a car when you’re drunk so you’re never a part of that,“ said Michael Amatos, a senior.

“It’s a very emotional experience and everyone is, I think it’s hitting everyone home,“ said Erin McCarthy, a senior.

The auditorium at the Vineyard Community Center in Westerville was silent during the presentation which lasted about two hours.

“There are kids that drink and drive—and not just once or twice, but have done it repeatedly,“ said Andy Zweizig, of Dublin City Schools.

After the students left the presentation, they took a walk of remembrance past large photos of children and adults killed by drunk driving.

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