Allstate Funds Drunk Driving Awareness for Prom-goers
Huntington High School students partied away at the prom last Friday night at the Woodbury Country Club. But, earlier in the day, the teenagers were required to participate in a program that raised awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving.
Principal Carmela Leonardi submitted a grant to the Allstate Foundation to fund the purchase of a kit containing goggles that simulate how a person would see and feel when the are under the influence of alcohol. Allstate approved $1,000 as part of its Safe Teen Drive Long Island initiative.
The equipment was even able to simulate various degrees of inebriation. Drew Fiorello, a Suffolk Police officer who has used the second precinct’s test kit, agreed to participate in Huntington’s prom-day program and guided students through testing. During the assembly, Allstate’s Nick Stolfa presented a check representing the grant funds.
The program included drug and alcohol presentations and school officials urged the teenagers to behave appropriately and safely. The program was also opened to others. “I invited health teacher Rick Agnello with his class to participate in the demonstration since he will be using the kit in his classes next year,” Dr. Leonardi said.
Huntington intends to repeat these presentations and use the goggles again next spring after evaluating last week’s session. “The students who participated were especially interested in this demonstration since they were able to experience first hand how uncoordinated and unfocused you can become after ‘just’ a few drinks,” Dr. Leonardi said.
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