MADD representatives kick off campaign against drunk driving

Local law enforcement and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) representatives met with the Highland County Victim/Witness office Monday afternoon to raise awareness for MADD’s annual “Tie One On For Safety” campaign.

Randy Young, MADD program coordinator, and his wife, longtime MADD volunteer and advocate Sue Young, met with Highland County Victim/Witness director Niki Glispie Monday. Local law enforcement officers, including Hillsboro Police Chief Todd Whited, Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera, Shane Nolley of the Leesburg Police Department, Jennifer Lowe of the Greenfield Police Department and Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers Brittany Kenney and John McCorkle, were also in attendance.

MADD’s annual red ribbon campaign encourages drivers to “show your commitment to eliminating drunk driving” during the holiday season each year by tying a red ribbon to their car’s antenna or rear-view mirror.

Randy Young said that it is particularly important to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving during the holiday season, as there is “a high rate of fatalities during the holiday season” due to impaired driving.

“This is the largest public awareness campaign that MADD does,” Young said. “Our goal is to encourage drivers not to drink and drive. If you go to a party, have a designated driver, contact a cab service or call a friend who has not been drinking to pick you up.”

The campaign began in 1986, and its name “comes from the phrase ‘tie one on,’ which is slang for drinking alcohol,” according to the MADD website.

“At MADD, we use the phrase to remind everyone that drinking and driving don’t mix,” their website states.

Glispie said that the message behind the red ribbon is important, especially for children and young adults.

“I think it’s important for kids to see the red ribbon and ask questions on what the red ribbon stands for and what it means,” Glispie said. “It’s a good way to talk to your kids about what can happen when you drink and drive, or get high and drive.

“They also need to know that you also don’t want to get in the car with someone who’s been drinking or is on drugs. Unfortunately, a lot of victims of these accidents are people who are passengers.”

The Youngs have worked with MADD for 25 years after their daughter, Tanya, was killed on Ghormley Road in Greenfield in December 1990. Young said that Tanya had been spending the night at a friend’s house at what was supposed to be a slumber party. Tanya and her friends consumed alcohol before getting in a car with a group of young men who had also been drinking. The teens lost control of the car, which rolled down an embankment and hit a tree.

“The impact killed the driver’s cousin,” Young said. “Tanya was in the backseat in the middle, and her neck snapped. She died instantly.”

After a MADD volunteer assisted the Youngs following their daughter’s death, Sue began working with the organization, traveling throughout the state to speak about their family’s experience. When Sue became ill eight years ago, her husband took over as “the official spokesperson” of the family, Young said. He left his full-time job at WCHO to work as the MADD program coordinator, sharing his daughter’s story and raising awareness across Ohio.

The Youngs work with Fayette and Pickaway county chapters of MADD, but Glispie said she thinks it’s important to start a chapter in Highland County.

“A lot of MADD advocates can sympathize with victims more,” Glispie said. “They can give victims more one-on-one attention. Sue has come to court many times to sit with the victims. Because she’s been through it, there’s a connection with her and the victims.

“MADD is an amazing program, and I know it works.”

Young agreed that more public awareness needs to be raised in Highland County.

“MADD is here,” Young said. “If you have been affected by drunk driving, know that we are here and we can help.”

According to their website, MADD’s mission statement is “to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking.” In addition to fighting against drunk driving, Young said that MADD is stepping up efforts to combat impaired driving of all kinds, including driving under the influence of marijuana, and MADD services are available to such victims as well.

“We are getting results from Colorado and Oregon in particular, where drugs have been legalized,” Young said. “You see the impact already. The percentage of fatalities and injuries is unbelievable. You’re not going to hear about it in Ohio as much unless it comes up on the ballot again, but it’s pretty bad.”

MADD’s tagline for their 35th anniversary year is “No More Victims,” which is their ultimate goal.

“To be honest, I want to get worked out of a job,” Young said.

Young said that the organization has made great strides in the past 35 years. With assistance from law enforcement, as well as advances in technology with breath alcohol ignition interlock devices, death tolls have dropped significantly since MADD was founded in 1980.

“In 1980, there were over 30,000 deaths involving alcohol across the country,” Young said. “That number is now under 10,000. We estimate that MADD and law enforcement efforts have led to a quarter of a million lives saved.”

For more information on MADD and its services, call Randy Young at 513-769-6800, ext. 3951; call the state office at 1-800-552-8641; or visit www.madd.org.