Township of Middletown EMS

Rude Awakening 2008
Drug and Alcohol Awareness

"Rude Awakening" is a 3-fold program: presentation, demonstration (re-enactment of a crash scene - helicopter option) and the DWI Fatal Vision goggle driving course. The program is specifically designed to educate the student in the life-altering ramifications of drinking and driving. It will meet both the academic interests of the high school student and the areas of emotional and psychological strength necessary to prevent the need to follow the college tradition of partying in a group atmosphere with peers.

At the senior and junior level of high school, this presentation encourages the student to examine their intended discipline with professionals who work in their respective fields. It will give the student the opportunity to speak with professionals who may help in their individual career path.

The mission of the program is to teach the prevention of life-altering alcohol and drug related fatalities involving motor vehicle collisions.

The speakers include:

Middletown Township Police Officer Corporal Glynn
Middletown Township Police Officer James Roese
Middletown Township Retired Detective Sergeant Michael Slover (Crossroads Director and Alliance Chairperson)
Middletown Township Municipal Judge Richard Thompson
Trauma Nurse Molly Berkowitz, Jersey Shore Medical Center
Social Worker and Counselor, Professor Midge Schuck
Physical Therapist Brad Cooper
Parent who lost a child to a drunk driver: Ellen Lurig & Bill Wlliott

Patrolman Roese will discuss the Drug and Alcohol Awareness Booklet. Patrolman Glynn will speak to the students about the operation of the Breathalyzer and review the Graduated Drivers License Program for first time drivers. Retired Officer Michael Slover will speak to the students regarding substance abuse. The Honorable Judge Thompson will talk about host liability and constructive possession as well as criminal and civil litigation as it pertains to DWI collisions. Trauma Nurse Molly Berkowitz will speak to students while presenting a graphic PowerPoint presentation about what transpires in the trauma room. Professor Midge Schuck, social worker and counselor, will cover areas concerned with social responsibility and how to deal with crisis. Brad Cooper, physical therapist from Cooper Rehabilitation, Middletown, will explain post accident rehabilitation. Bill Elliot (Hero Campaign/John's Law) and Ellen Lurig ("Every Fifteen Minutes") will speak to students about the loss of each of their children and how it has impacted their lives forever.

Professor Midge Schuck will be available to provide assistance to anyone having difficulty with the presentation and to discuss their personal feelings about the issues related to this presentation.

A question and answer period will follow to allow the audience to interact with the professionals who have made presentations.

Following the various speakers, The Middletown Township Emergency Medical Services (assisted by the Middletown Township Fire Department) will perform a re-enactment of a serious motor vehicle accident, such as one that may be caused by driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. High school students (from the EMS cadet program) acting as "victims" will be placed inside vehicles that have been made to appear as if they were in a collision while the EMS members perform work with the "jaws of life" to rescue them from the wreckage.

Anybody with questions regarding the program can call Middletown Police Officer James Roese in the Traffic Safety Bureau at 732-615-2045.

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