Throughout MADD RI's existence, particularly since it opened its first full-time office in 1988, we've received some quizzical looks from people who ask, "What in the world could you possibly do all day long?" We answer this way: "Unfortunately, drunk drivers operate full-time, too, and they don't even take holidays off." 

Therein lies part of the problem. For a variety of reasons, too many people have removed themselves from the issue and it's just not a 
full-time concern for them. Many then learn the hard way how close the impaired driver is to them and, consequently, how close they really are to the problem. 

We like to label our daily work as the Four Major Thrusts of MADD Rhode Island. What follows is a brief recap of each: 

VICTIM SERVICES 

To serve those victimized by drunk drivers is inherent in our mission statement: MADD's MISSION IS TO STOP DRUNK DRIVING, SUPPORT THE VICTIMS OF THIS VIOLENT CRIME AND PREVENT UNDERAGE DRINKING! It's significant that MADD RI's very first major undertaking in 1983 was the inaugural Candlelight Vigil. Ever since then, hardly a day has passed without some victim contact, project, information, planning, legislative matter, correspondence, etc. We've maintained a Victim Assistance Coordinator, and held victim assistance meetings on a continuing basis for most of our existence. 

In 1989, the RI Supreme Court allowed MADD to send its victims to address offenders with the first person story of their victimization at the hands of an impaired driver. Anyone convicted of DWI or refusing a breath test must attend a ten-hour course at CCRI as part of his or her sentence. The first victims to speak were Cyndy and David Moniz, of Warwick, who lost their seven-year-old son, Brendan, to a drunk driver in 1988. Since then, we've only missed one class, and that was due to a mix-up in dates. 

When a drunk-driving victim is known, a "We Care" card is sent. When there is a response, we set up a file and begin the process of assuring that the family is sent an information packet; is in touch with the Victim Assistance Unit of the Attorney General, and follow though by accompanying family members to court arraignments, hearings, etc., right on through the trial or final disposition. 

We have continued the annual Candlelight Vigil and usually have victim representation at the National Vigil each December. Victim and members are also involved each year in the Victim Right's Week observance in April. 

Both Gabrielle Abbate and Dave Russell, of the office staff have received certificates from MADD's Advanced Victim Training Institutes, and are fully qualified to handle every victim request or problem. Past President, Cyndra Moniz, is serving as interim victim advocate. 

PUBLIC AWARENESS 

Thank heavens for the awareness of the public. The majority do not drink and drive and those making the commitment since the 1980's have made a major difference after MADD was born. MADD R.I. enhances that awareness by virtue of its many campaigns and projects designed to alert the general public. Topping the list is the annual holiday Red Ribbon Campaign, still the most extensive in MADD's national arsenal. 

MADD R.I. has always helped to promote highway safety throughout its history by either joining with MADD in national campaigns such as Red Ribbon, or networking with local and statewide groups such as the Rhode Island Highway Safety Coalition 

Statewide, we send out speakers on an on-going basis to schools, including driver-training classes, organizations, clubs, fraternities and sororities and any other group that has an interest. We provide MADD materials when requested or set up information tables at scores of health fairs, auto shows, conferences and schools throughout the year. 

YOUTH EDUCATION 

As early as 1985, MADD RI realized that youth education would be a major factor in the ultimate decrease in deaths and injuries due to impaired driving. When it opened its first office, ideas were formulated to expand on that premise. The opportunity came in 1991 when MADD R.I. agreed to coordinate the very first TeamSpirit Youth Leadership Conference in the nation to be managed solely by a MADD chapter. In April of that year, Gabrielle Abbate was made a staff member and became the TeamSpirit Coordinator. The first conference was held in August of 1991 and others have followed annually, each as successful as the last and each gaining more positive publicity for MADD RI and its youth arm. The 12th annual TeamSpirit Conference was completed in July, 2002, and those newly trained young leaders are already out in the field demonstrating by their actions and lifestyles that safe, life-saving choices can be the norm in a very difficult environment. 

While TeamSpirit is the most visible of the projects, offshoots of that effort has resulted in MADD Rhode Island being in the forefront with other youth initiatives that will have national significance. Youth in Action, is one of those initiatives. It focuses on changing environmental attiitudes and policies. MADD, RI has held four Youth In Action trainings across the state, and as mentioned in the Youth link on this site, has already developed an entirely new initiative called TNT, Teaching New Techniques.  

Through the assistance of the Division of Substance Abuse in the Department of MHRH, MADD has been able to increase YIA's scope and work. Brenda Amodei, a division coordinator has been extremely helpful and enthusiastic in providing assistance and encouragement to this worthwhile program. 

While those projects are noteworthy because of their scope, the daily youth education efforts include an array of speakers, victim and staff, appearing before driver's education classes year-round and statewide; prom/grad programs and projects during which MADD is asked to either help coordinate or send representatives; elementary school appearances or distribution of youth materials, and sending informational packets to college students preparing papers on MADD and/or the impaired driving issue. 

LEGISLATION 

MADD R.I's legislative efforts began slowly after the office opened in late 1988, but has grown, through networking in particular, to become a major force at the State House. While never totally successful, we have made enough impact to be recognized by many as a powerful force. That stance was further enhanced in 1998 when MADD RI was invited to become an integral player in the newly formed, RI Highway Traffic Safety Coalition, headed by the RI Department of Transportation. 

The force soon grew to include every recognized highway safety group in the state, along with legislators, insurance companies, law enforcement agencies, etc. The power of numbers was soon evident as the Coalition set legislative initiatives and used its power and influence to bring them to the public and to the forefront. Within two years, a graduated license law was passed that would require teens receive more driver training before hitting the highways alone. Other laws passed in that time included a secondary seat belt law, stiffer penalties for driving under the influence with children in the vehicle, a long-fought for Open Container law, and this year, the .08 BAC law.

We have seen a Zero Tolerance bill for those under 21 become law with our youth advocates testifying before both Houses and ultimately playing a major role in passage of the bill. We also helped to usher "Jillian's Law" through the three-year state house maze until it became law. It is named for six-year-old Jillian Charron of Burrillville, who was killed by a speeding drunk driver in 1987. The law mandates that anyone convicted of DWI death resulting must receive a five-year minimum sentence in prison. 

In 1999, with little fanfare, the General Assembly passed both an Open Container law, and a Child Endangerment law. We had been pushing for open container practically as long as .08. It simply says that no open containers of alcohol will be allowed in the passenger compartment of vehicles. Child endangerment dictates that there be a substantial additional prison term if an adult drives under the influence while transporting a child. 

Many casual observers find it difficult to believe that MADD has opposition to any of its legislative proposals. They ask, "Who could possibly be against stronger laws to deter or, if needed, punish those that would act so irresponsibly that they kill or seriously injure innocent people while driving impaired?" 

Who, indeed? No, not some off-the-wall extremist sect, but those whose special interests preclude everything else. 

It should be stated here that MADD RI does support the move for greater resources for treatment and rehabilitation of problem drinkers. It's no mystery that stronger penalties, suspensions, and the like do little to deter the problem drinker. Treatment and a lifestyle change could be the only viable answer. It is our hope that government and legislative bodies will recognize that need in a more tangible way. 

The preceding hits the highlights of what amounts to the daily involvement of the MADD staff and volunteers. Obviously, we could list more details but would risk brain freeze on the reader's part. Suffice to say to those who wonder why we must work full-time: you should be here when all of the above happens simultaneously.