Wednesday, December 1, 1999, Jerrell and Donna Snodgrass of Lubbock spoke on behalf of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers.

Mr. Snodgrass, former principal at Monterrey High School, related facts about alcohol. He reminded the high school and junior high school students attending that it is against the law to drink until the age of 21. One beer affects anyone's reaction time, and the legal level of being drunk is .08. He stated when drunk drivers are involved in wrecks, he would not call it an "accident," because an accident usually cannot be prevented, whereas a drunk driver causing a wreck CHOSE to drink and drive.

One can of beer has the same amount of alcohol as a mixed drink or wine, and wine coolers are stronger than beer. Once alcohol gets into the blood system, only time can help remove it, not hot coffee or a cold shower. Mr. Snodgrass reminded students that drinking too much alcohol too quickly can result in alcohol death, as your body can metabolize only one drink per hour. He also related that the cost of being picked up while drunk runs about $1500-$2000 by the time you pay lawyer costs and fines.

Mrs. Snodgrass said that statistically one half of America will be involved someway in an alcohol related wreck. Of their four children, their oldest daughter, LeeAnn, has been the innocent victim of two alcohol related wrecks, and Mary Jane was killed. She described her as a vivacious young woman who loved life. Because of a young man's choice to drive while drunk, Mary Jane was tragically and innocently killed only blocks from their home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass urged the students to make wise choices concerning alcohol.

The Student Council, on behalf of the student body, appreciated Jerrell and Donna Snodgrass for sharing the heart-breaking story of how one person's misuse of alcohol affected their lives forever.