Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority - "I Died, Who's Next?

What is it?

This unique teen drinking and driving prevention/awareness program was developed by the Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority through its Project CHILD (Children's Health Interventions and Lifestyle Development) initiative. "I Died, Who's Next?" is a peer-driven program conducted in high schools and middle schools based on the statistic that one student dies every 30 minutes because of an alcohol-related accident.

During the two-day educational event, a different student is called out of class every 30 minutes, dressed in a black T-shirt with the slogan "I Died, Who's Next?" on it, and sent back to class in white face paint. Later, the students who "died" have the opportunity to write their "obituaries" and read them aloud to the rest of the school. "I Died, Who's Next?" also uses role-playing exercises and partnerships with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and school districts, as well as local police, fire, ambulance and funeral services to re-create realistic vehicle crash scenes to illustrate the tragic results of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Who is it for?

Young people in high schools and middle schools.

Why do they do it?

Alcohol-related vehicle crashes are the nation's number one killer of teens. "I Died, Who's Next?" is designed to discourage drinking and driving among young people.

Impact

In 2006, the program reached 8,000 students in 14 schools throughout southeastern Oklahoma, and was named the 2006 "Champion of Oklahoma Health," the highest recognition at the Champions of Health Awards.

Contact: Todd Baughman
Director, Project CHILD
Telephone: 918-426-5700
E-mail: tdbaughman@cnhsa.com