Video of "The Final Party" shown Monday

— High school students on Monday morning watched video of “The Final Party,” a mock car accident following a party at which teens abused alcohol and prescription drugs.

The video was recorded in Gentry on March 2. The scenario, which involved students and emergency personnel, included teenagers abusing prescription medications at an outdoor party, followed by a traffic accident involving some of the teens and another family.

The mock incident gave emergency personnel an opportunity to practice response procedures and also provided an eyeopening display to teens, demonstrating the possible results of prescription drug abuse and driving. The incident included vehicle extrication, serious injuries and fatalities. Officers notified family members of the deaths,and bodies were taken away in a hearse.

Students were moved to tears on Monday as they watched the video produced by Brian and Josh Holland of Family 48 TV with parts played by fellow students and by Gentry emergency personnel.

“If it makes students think and prevents just one accident or death, it will have been worth it,” said Gentry police sergeant Clay Stewart of the hours and hours put into the production of “The Final Party” for Gentry students.

Stewart and school resource officer Michelle Raimer coordinated the special event for the school and worked closely with the students and other emergency personnel to set up the mock accident and arrange for the video recording.

Brian and Josh Holland not only recorded the mock accident but spent hours and hours to edit and prepare the video students saw on Monday. Gentry High Schooltechnician Craig Millsap was also a big help in the process, according to Stewart.

A similar type mock exercise, called “Every 15Minutes,” was conducted three years ago at the Gentry High School and presented to students in an effort to prevent incidents of drinking anddriving - and trafficrelated deaths - among Gentry students.

A public showing of “The Final Party” video is being scheduled for thenear future, said Gentry chief of police Keith Smith. More information on the upcoming showing will be published as soon as it becomes available.

Education, Pages 3 on 03/31/2010