Fall 2024 Award Winner: One Tough Student Scholarship

Martena William

James Kennedy Law is delighted to award Martena; a deeply conscientious college student, with our One Tough Student Scholarship Award for the Fall 2024 semester. Martena is wise beyond her years, and we are thrilled to assist her as she pursues her college degree.

Read Martena’s Essay:

Picture a world where roads aren't just pathways but vital connections, linking us all together. Yet, in a single moment, these connections can be shattered by the reckless choices of those who drive under the influence. Every journey should promise a safe arrival, yet the threat of drunk driving lurks, capable of irreversibly altering lives in an instant. Surprisingly, despite its profound impact, the issue of drunk driving often remains overlooked in our modern society, largely due to social stigmas and the normalized influence of the alcohol industry. However, by advocating for responsible alcohol consumption through marketing and investing in technology, we can reduce these accidents on a societal scale. For the sake of this discussion, contrasting the impacts of smoking with our ongoing societal reactions to its risks shows a significant difference when compared to those linked with alcohol use. In the case of social stigma and its acceptance, smoking has been progressively stigmatized over time. However, being a drunk driver may not be looked down upon as much. Smoking is universally recognized as a terrible habit with substantial health consequences, driving widespread anti-smoking campaigns. My parents instilled in me a strong sense of the risks of smoking from a young age, regularly referring to it as a "dirty" and an "unappealing" habit. Their advice has stuck with me from childhood to young adulthood. Interestingly, my friends' parents have expressed similar feelings during conversations regarding smoking. Nonetheless, as the cigarette industry faced declining consumer numbers, they found an alternative product like vapes to appeal to new demographics while still maintaining profitability. As kids as young as 13 were becoming hospitalized, this urgency heightened awareness campaigns, including commercials, billboards, and films depicting the health impacts faced by young users. In contrast, we rarely see many initiatives to combat drunk driving as people may still consider drunk driving to be a less taboo conduct, resulting in less public outcry and campaigning needed. In chemistry classes, it's commonly taught that alcohol is essentially a poison that harms the body, gradually depleting organs of their nutrients and impairing their ability to regulate vital functions like breathing. Despite this knowledge, modern marketing has transformed alcohol into exciting beverages with enticing flavors and packaging, often marketed to teens through trendy challenges and the promise of 'zero calories.' However, this is only one aspect of the industry's impact. With substantial financial resources and political "clout", the alcohol industry strongly disagrees with policies aimed at decreasing alcohol-related harm. Influential celebrities are given venues to promote alcohol brands, reinforcing the image of alcohol as a sign of success and happiness. This glorification of alcohol contributes to the quick shift from casual drinking to addiction among teenagers and impressionable adults, with results such as higher deaths and indirect victims. Public awareness programs have been quite effective in teaching the public about the risks of specific issues many people deal with. For instance, television shows such as "13 Reasons Why" have inspired crucial talks about mental health and suicide prevention. Despite its criticism, this show explored these problems, letting the audience know when to get help. Artists like Logic have led campaigns for mental health through their music. Logic's "1-800-273-8255" opened the eyes of many who were unaware of this number, causing an increase in the discourse of this number's usage and ultimately linked to fewer suicides. Just as public awareness campaigns combat suicide prevention, media outlets could provide films/TV shows that serve as catalysts for depicting the horrible tragedies and impact that drunk driving brings on families everywhere. This approach could bring awareness to drunk driving for citizens who have been desensitized to unsuccessful traditional campaigns done before. In terms of technological advancements in society, the Uber and Lyft applications have altered methods that people use to safely return from a party. Nevertheless, other affordable technology can help in fighting against drunk driving. For example, designated driver programs are suitable for this purpose. If they have the backing of local companies or community organizations, they can offer free rides or provide discounts to drinkers. Moreover, there are also mobile breathalyzer devices. They make it easy to check your blood alcohol content (BAC) before deciding whether it's safe to drive. If we could integrate them into smartphone apps or car systems, it could really help people make smarter choices about driving after drinking and it would be great for our society as a whole if more investing and funding were made for life saving projects as such. Personally, I place great importance on remaining sober and responsibly when it comes to drinking alcohol or other substances. I genuinely feel that having a designated driver is essential while out with a group. When attending social parties, I recommend having a designated driver who not only assures everyone's safety but also encourages people to drink responsibly and be aware of the potential dangers of being under the influence. All in all, by addressing both the cultural and systemic elements that contribute to drunk driving, we can work to make roads and communities safer for everybody