Several Long County agencies helped stage Long County High School’s Prom Promise March 31.

The annual event, which is held just prior to the school’s prom, shows students the dangers of drinking and driving. County organizations that took part included the Long County Sheriff’s Office, the Long County/Ludowici Fire Department, the Long County Coroner’s Office and the Long County Emergency Management Agency Office.

This year, the sheriff’s office and the Georgia State Patrol conducted a drunk driving demonstration. Students wore goggles that simulated the effects of being intoxicated while they drove golf carts.

The fire department conducted a jaws-of-life demonstration with students trapped in a wrecked car. The demonstration also had one of the students "die" at the scene, and the mother of the student come to the location, discovering that her child had been killed in the avoidable accident.

EMA Director Ed Brewer said it was one of the most realistic demonstrations he had seen.

"When the mother arrived at the wreck and discovered that her daughter had died, wow," he said. "Hearing the distress in her voice, it really affected me and I could see that it also was making an impact on the students watching."

Long County Commission Chairman Mike Riddle said he was glad that the county’s agencies took part. He encouraged all of them to continue to support all of the schools.

"We have great law enforcement and public safety personnel in Long County," Riddle said. "They do a job that all too often gets overlooked. Working with the Prom Promise is one of the many things that they continually do, going above and beyond their normal duties. I know I speak on behalf of all of the commissioners when I say we’re proud of and thankful for each and every one of them."