Materials
A total of 29 questions were used to assess student behavior and attitudes before, immediately after and six months later their participation in the E15M program. Many of the questions appear on the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS, 2003) (see California Substance Use Survey Questionnaire). In this study, Subscale I examined self regulation of alcohol use and included questions about the amount and circumstances under which alcohol was consumed by the participant. Sample items were “How many times have you drunk alcohol in the last six weeks?”; “How many times have you become ill after drinking?”; and, “How many times have you talked to teachers or other adults about drinking?”.
Subscale II investigated student observation and intervention of their peers in alcohol-related environments. Questions included: “How frequently do you worry about a friend’s drinking?”; and “How many times have you talked to your friends about their drinking?”.
Subscale III inspected driving practices of participating students. They were asked to disclose information about behaviors as drivers or passengers in alcohol- related environments. Items included: “How many times have you driven when you were or had been drinking 1-2 drinks? 3-4 drinks? 5 or more drinks?”, “Have you taken the keys from a friend who was drinking?”; and, “How often have you been the designated driver?”
Parents were asked question before and after their son or daughter were involved in the program. Questions included information about their communication and expectations of alcohol use with their children.
Procedure
The E15M program is a scripted program outlined at the National Organization for Every 15 Minutes (2003). Other resources include Chico Police Department (2003) or the California Alcohol Beverage Control Board (2003).
During the first day of the program, an adult playing “Grim Reaper” calls students who have been pre-selected from a cross-section of the entire student body out of their class. These are the “living dead” designees. One student is removed from class every 15 minutes. A police officer enters the classroom to read an obituary written by the “dead” students’ parent(s). Near noontime, a simulated traffic collision is viewable on the school grounds. Actual rescue workers treat the injured student victims as if it was a real scene. The corner handles the fatalities while injured students are extricated by the jaws of life. Officers arrest and book the student drunk driver. The most critically injured student may be picked up by helicopter and taken to the hospital.