DOCUDRAMA SHOWS PERILS OF DWI

The screams and emergency crews were real, but the accident was a docudrama created by Notre Dame High School.

Students were dismissed from classes Tuesday morning to see a few of their peers act the scene of an accident involving a drunken driver. Several of the mock victims were injured, and there was one fatality.

The Cape County Private Ambulance Service and the Cape Girardeau police and fire departments also were on Notre Dame's campus Tuesday to make the scene more "real" to the students.

"There's a high probability that people in your age group will be killed in that type of accident for real," said Dr. John Foley, a local physician. Foley spoke to an assembly of Notre Dame students following the docudrama.

"Call a cab, call a parent, but don't get into a car with someone who's been drinking," he said.

After the assembly, students reported to their home-room classes to discuss the docudrama and their questions about drinking and driving.

"We hope they're thinking about what they would do in certain situations," said Carol Glueck, a teacher who led a discussion about the docudrama in her class.

Students in Glueck's class discussed whether accountability changes when a person is under the influence of alcohol. They also discussed responsibility as a sober driver when with friends who have been drinking.

"If they're going to drive, you've got to stop them," said Bryan Schaefer.

Sister Mary Ann Fischer, the principal, said the docudrama was meant to raise students' awareness.

"They shouldn't be drinking," she said, "but this is an attempt to raise their awareness about drinking and driving."