By Magen Petit
Staff Columnist
SOUTH BERWICK —Staff Columnist
South Berwick Police Officer and Marshwood High School’s School Resource Officer Jeff Upton and Race Director of the Pumpkinman Triathlon Festival Kathleen Donatello have recently teamed up to promote safety to MHS students.
Donatello approached Upton with a $2,500 donation to help educate students about the dangers of alcohol abuse, which resulted in the purchase of six Fatal Vision® goggles. These specially designed and manufactured goggles simulate the visual impairment caused by alcohol or other drugs.
According to the Fatal Vision® web site, “Viewing through the goggles is rather clear, but confusing to the mind. The wearer experiences a loss of equilibrium, which is one of the effects of intoxication. Both the wearer and those observing are convinced that such impairment makes activities with known risks, such as driving vehicles, very dangerous.”
Donatello and the Festival partners with different organizations in the South Berwick, Berwick, North Berwick, and Eliot area to give back to the community. In two years, the Festival has donated over $50,000 to local sports teams. For more info, visit www.pumpkinmantriathlon.com.
“We made a $2,500 commitment,” said Donatello. “If it makes a huge impact with the kids, we can make adjustments to see if we can purchase more or others like it.”
Upton believes MHS is the only school with these goggles.
“We had a “knockoff” version of these goggles before, but these are better,” explained Upton. “These goggles have different impairment levels, ranging from a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .06 to .25. And we even have a nighttime vision pair. I think this will make a huge impact and I believe we’re the only school system [in the area] that has these goggles.”
The legal limit to drive with a BAC level is at or below .08 percent. This varies from person to person.
“On average, the body metabolizes one drink per hour, which is either a 12 oz. beer or a shot of liquor,” explained Upton.
The one issue Upton is concerned about with these goggles is whether the students will take them seriously or not.
“They are a lot of fun, but we don’t want to present them as a toy,” explained Upton. “We want to send out a positive message in the process of a school assembly. We are aiming to present it just before prom, which is usually at the beginning of May.”
Upton and Donatello are hoping this will make an impact on the students and open their eyes to this reality.
“I think it will be key - and hit home - for the kids watching the teens who are experiencing [the goggles],” said Donatello.
Upton added, “We will look at the kids reaction to this and the questions they have. Even if we have one student that says, “I didn’t know this could happen” or “It made me think twice” then that’s success.”
Innocorp, Ltd. introduced Fatal Vision® at the Wisconsin Governor’s Conference on Highway Safety in June 1996.
“Innocorp’s mission is to promote safety in our schools and communities and to contribute to the reduction of alcohol and other drug fatalities and injuries through innovative, interactive, and fun educational programs,” according to the Fatal Vision® web site. “When people experience impairment first-hand while trying to do a task, the lesson sticks. Research shows that those who learn from hands-on experience retain two to four times more than those who learn from just listening or listening and seeing.”
Photo caption: MHS School Resource Officer Jeff Upton and Pumpkinman Triathlon Race Director Kathleen Donatello teamed up to provide students with Fatal Vision® goggles. (Weekly Sentinel photo)
