Substance abuse event scheduled

MOSES LAKE - Although impaired driving is a serious issue, visitors to the fifth annual Community Partnership Against Substance Abuse on May 5 will have the opportunity to have a little fun with it.

The 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. event will feature the impaired-driving simulator known as SIDNE throughout the day. It will also feature a DUI (impaired vision) goggle demonstration.

Both of these will be hands-on demonstrations for any visitor who wishes to participate. 

The Community Partnership Against Substance Abuse will be held in the Masto Conference Center, ATEC, 1800 Building at Big Bend Community College. It is coordinated by Big Bend and the Central Basin Traffic Safety Task Force.

SIDNE involves a dune buggy that is controlled by law enforcement officers. Once the driver (you) starts out on the course, officers introduce situations that impaired drivers would deal with.

The event will also have a mock car crash involving student volunteers. It is a demonstration of how law enforcement, emergency personnel and the coroner handle a real drunk driving crash that results in injuries or death.

The day will also feature presentations by professionals in several fields. Some will deal with graphic material, such as dead bodies at accident scenes, and are not recommended for children age eight and under.