The Hard Truth About Students And Drunk Driving

Waterbury Hospital and its Emergency Department are stepping out across the state to educate adolescents and college ages students about the dangers of drunk driving. As a result, the hospital has received a Connecticut MADD Corporate Award for its efforts in working to prevent underage drinking and drunk driving deaths.

 The hospital’s program, “The Hard Truth,” the brainchild of Emergency Medical Services Coordinator Ralph Miro, features actual photos from motor vehicle crashes clearly conveying the dramatic and disturbing results of driving under the influence, candid narratives from people responsible for taking the lives of other because of their drinking and driving, testimonies from individuals and families who have lost loved ones because of drunk driving accidents, and discussions with physician, EMS, nursing, and law enforcement personnel who relay their personal experiences.

 Now run in conjunction with MADD and the Connecticut College of Emergency Physicians, “The Hard Truth” crew tours the state, presenting this life-saving program to students.

“In the midst of a three-year period when Mothers Against Drunk Driving [MADD] has graded the State of Connecticut with just C-minus for its efforts to prevent drunk driving accidents, this program has brought an invaluable lesson to so many,” said Michelle Lettieri, executive director of Fairfield County MADD.

The rating was unveiled just prior to the heavily traveled Thanksgiving holiday period last year. Connecticut’s grade was among the middle tier of states and was virtually unchanged from the 2000 report, when the state also rated a grade of C-minus.

“With the increase of alcohol-related traffic deaths for the third year in a row, it is vital that we as a health care organization and as an emergency department do what we can to end then upsurge in such fatalities,” said Craig Mittleman, director of emergency services at the hospital. Dr Mittleman is a Newtown resident.

“Decisions, such as driving safe and sober and wearing a seat belt, can save lives, prevent injuries and protect our roadways,” said Mr Miro “And bringing the tragic effects of drinking and driving front and center, live and uncut, really impacts the people who see it. We know that because of the reactions that we receive from people.”

For more information on how to bring “The Hard Truth” to your organization, contact MADD at 866-233-MADD (6233).

 Founded in 1980, Mothers Against Drunk Driving is a nonprofit grass roots organization with 600 affiliates and approximately two million members and supporters nationwide. MADD’s mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. For more information, visit www.madd.org.

 Waterbury Hospital is a private, nonprofit acute care teaching hospital licensed for 357 beds and affiliated with the Yale School of Medicine and the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Founded in 1890 as Connecticut’s fourth hospital, Waterbury Hospital is a full-service community hospital with centers of excellence in primary care, behavioral health, and orthopaedics. With approximately 2,000 employees, Waterbury Hospital is the second largest employer in the Greater Waterbury region, serving a vital role in the economic vitality of western Connecticut.