Teachers defend shock tactics in DWI program

Associated Press ^ | 6/12/2008 | ALLISON HOFFMAN

[libertarian27]

Teachers defend shock tactics in DWI program

OCEANSIDE, Calif. (AP) — On a Monday morning last month, highway patrol officers visited 20 classrooms at El Camino High School to announce some horrible news: Several students had been killed in car wrecks over the weekend.

Classmates wept. Some became hysterical.

A few hours and many tears later, though, the pain turned to fury when the teenagers learned that it was all a hoax — a scared-straight exercise designed by school officials to dramatize the consequences of drinking and driving.

As seniors prepare for graduation parties Friday, school officials in the largely prosperous San Diego suburb are defending themselves against allegations they went too far.

At school assemblies, some students held up posters that read: "Death is real. Don't play with our emotions."

Michelle de Gracia, 16, was in physics class when an officer announced that her missing classmate David, a popular basketball player, had died instantly after being rear-ended by a drunken driver. She said she felt nauseated but was too stunned to cry.

[LibWhacker]

"They were traumatized, but we wanted them to be traumatized," said guidance counselor Lori Tauber, who helped organize the shocking exercise and got dozens of students to participate. "That's how they get the message."

No consideration whatsoever given to the other effects the stunt might have, or to the other messages it might send.

[DManA]

Rule of Dan Rather: Lying to convey the truth leads to a lack of work.

[swain_forkbeard]

I love the CONVINCER. Simple physics. Hard to argue against.

[-YYZ-]

“Even after quite a bit of reflection, I am amazed at the stupidity of the people who used this stunt on children.”

Well, we are talking about MADD or their ilk. Truth and honesty are just inconvenient stumbling blocks to their neo-prohibitionist agenda.

[relictele]

Teachers squandering credibility? Just another day at the office.

[libertarian27]

Ping.

This one runs the gambit.
Pick your liberal poison, it’s all here.

[grjr21]

“So kids what did you learn at school today ?”

” Well dad we learned that Police and our teachers are liars “

[Gabz]

I’m left rather speechless on thsi one.

[traviskicks]

..highway patrol officers visited 20 classrooms at El Camino High School to announce some horrible news.

Libertarian ping! To be added or removed freepmail me or post a message here.

[traviskicks]

That's right, scare kids to never believe authority figures again.

Hopefully they learned their lesson. Distrust of authority is a valuable life lesson, probably the only useful thing they learned this year in their socialized educational program. :)

[kbennkc]

Is the tort of intentional infliction of extreme emotional distress still recognized ?

[newzjunkey]

Oceanside is not a "largely prosperous" suburb.

You beat me to it. It's a ridiculous way to describe Oceanside.

[dcwusmc]

Oceanside sits right outside the Main Gate to Camp Pendleton.

[Gondring]

I believe Denise Richards is an alumna.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Rule of Dan Rather: Lying to convey the truth leads to a lack of work.

Fake but accurate. It's practically the liberal motto now.

[elkfersupper]

I’d like to know what MADD thinks about this prank.

MADD is behind this prank. Just like all the propaganda and scare tactics associated with this witch hunt.