Don't Drink & Drive! Save Lives!

Every 15 Minutes Program at Los Alamitos High School

Dates: April 3 & 4, 2025

The Every 15 Minutes program is a powerful, immersive experience designed to address the tragic reality of teen drunk driving. Developed in the 1990s by a police officer, this national initiative highlights the alarming statistic that every 15 minutes, someone in the U.S. dies in an alcohol-related traffic accident.

In 1997, a dedicated participant from the Youth Center, who was a junior in high school, discovered this impactful program while on vacation in Washington State. She envisioned it as a vital addition to the Youth Center’s teen programming, particularly benefiting her peers at Los Alamitos High School. After thorough research and planning, the Youth Center established partnerships with local agencies and organizations, including the Los Alamitos High School, Seal Beach Lion’s Club, and various police and fire departments. The first Every 15 Minutes program was held at Los Alamitos High School in 1999, and it has continued biennially since.

 

Program Overview

Approximately six months before the event, high school juniors and seniors are invited to apply to participate. Out of over 200 applications, 32 students are selected to represent a diverse cross-section of the school’s social groups and ethnicities. Selected students, along with their parents, undergo extensive training to ensure the program’s maximum impact on the community.

The Every 15 Minutes program offers students a real-life experience without the risks associated with drinking and driving. The program encourages critical thinking about personal safety and the importance of making responsible choices.

 

Program Highlights

  • Staged Events:

    • Every 15 minutes, a student is removed from class by a police officer who reads a prepared obituary. This signifies that “victims” will no longer interact with peers throughout the program.
    • Uniformed officers conduct mock death notifications to the students’ families at their homes or workplaces.
  • Simulated Collision:

    • A mock traffic accident takes place on school grounds, where rescue workers treat injured participants. Students experience the gravity of a tragic, alcohol-related incident firsthand, including the use of the jaws-of-life for extricating injured “victims.”
  • Field Trips:

    • Participants visit a morgue, a hospital emergency room, and a police department jail, where they experience the booking process for “drunk driving.”
  • Retreat Experience:

    • After a day of impactful activities, students participate in an overnight retreat that emphasizes emotional support and reflection. They write letters to their parents beginning with, “Dear Mom and Dad, every fifteen minutes someone in the United States dies from an alcohol-related accident. Today I died. I never had the chance to tell you…”

 

The Assembly

The following morning, a mock funeral service is held at the high school. The assembly includes:

  • A video documenting the previous day’s events.
  • Emotional readings of letters between students and parents.
  • A keynote speaker sharing personal experiences with the consequences of drunk driving.

This assembly serves to underline the profound impact that alcohol consumption can have on individuals and their families, reinforcing that one poor choice can alter lives forever.

 

Community Impact

Every 15 Minutes is a critical tool for encouraging youth to make positive life choices. This elaborate program aims to shock students into recognizing the value of life and the potential consequences of their decisions. Over 3,500 students at Los Alamitos High School benefit from this program, making it a vital part of our community’s commitment to youth safety.

The estimated budget for the program ranges from $20,000 to $45,000, but thanks to generous community support, the Youth Center has managed to keep costs under $15,000. We also receive a grant of $9,999 every other year from the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Highway Safety, which helps us sustain this impactful initiative.

For more information, questions, or if you’d like to get involved, please contact us at the Youth Center. Together, we can create a safer future for our youth.