The second annual “It Only Takes One” campaign concluded in May 2015, with three groups winning top honors. To take part in this campaign, schools had to register in the fall of 2015. Then, students from 42 participating schools were presented a free t-shirt after submitting a completed parent-teen driving contract to their advisors. The t-shirts proved to be an effective tool to get students talking about the dangers of distracted driving, but many of the schools did not stop there. Students and advisors carried this message out into the community – with posters, thumb bands, belt checks, and other materials that sparked conversation between teens and adults about safe driving practices. Almost 2100 students were impacted by the campaign across Missouri.
For their participation, McCluer North FCCLA received 1st place with a prize of $1,000, Cole County R-V School received 2nd place with a prize of $750, and Douglas County Health Department received 3rd place with a prize of $500. Members of McCluer North FCCLA had a display table at all lunch shifts with a student representative providing information and dispersing posters. They created several school announcements, conducted seatbelt checks, showed the Highway Patrol’s Distracted Driving DVD to 135 students, and collected 50 parent teen contracts.
The “It Only Takes One” campaign has been made possible by grants received from the Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety.
ACT Missouri is the statewide training and resource center for substance abuse prevention. Through free trainings, brochures, and education, ACT Missouri works with all areas of the state to combat drug and alcohol abuse, especially among Missouri youth. ACT Missouri also serves at the state representative for national organizations such as SADD and The Partnership at Drugfree.org.
Contact Information:
Natalie Newville
Public Information Officer
ACT Missouri
428 E. Capitol Avenue
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 635-6669
nnewville@actmissouri.org