RUMFORD — Rumford Police Sgt. Tracey Higley and Mountain Valley High School Principal Matt Gilbert showed juniors and seniors a video called “Point of No Return.” High school students, parents, police, fire and rescue, and hospital and funeral home personnel in the Kennebunk area acted in the documentary video.
According to www.pointofnoreturn.us, Kennebunk Police Chief Bob MacKenzie said, “the idea for the film came to him in a dream.” This dream became a reality in the video that shows the various outcomes of a night of teen drinking.
Before showing the film Higley and Gilbert spoke to the students about making the right decisions about drinking.
Higley said, “I’m not going to tell you not to [drink] and think that you really won’t. I’m going to say, make smart decisions if you are going to do it.”
Gilbert made sure that everyone knew he and Higley were both open to questions.
“Point of No Return” is a 30-minute video showing five teens trying, succeeding and failing to get alcohol. It shows the disastrous consequences that they would have to face as each outcome. First, the teens get alcohol and get caught. The person who bought the alcohol for them got charged with supplying alcohol for minors and all the teens got a summons.
The next scene is the teens throwing a party at their house, and the consequences that would come from getting caught. The video also shows a horrific car accident that could come from drinking and driving, resulting in the death of one of them, severe injuries for the rest and a class D misdemeanor for vehicular manslaughter for the driver.
Higley returned a week later to answer any questions the students may have about the video or decision-making.
This story lets the students see realistically what could happen if they make poor decisions. For more information on the video visit www.pointofnoreturn.us.
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