Clinical nursing students at an Eastern Kentucky University public health class will be helping to implement the Ghost Out program to educate high school students on the dangers of impaired driving, the EKU Update reported on March 20.

At the Berea Community High School, an individual dressed as the grim reaper will visit classes throughout the morning of March 31, removing pre-selected students every 30 minutes to simulate the frequency of drunk driving deaths. These students will later return to class designated as ghosts, unable to communicate with anyone.

In the afternoon, the students can visit information booths, try on impaired-driving goggles and sign pledge cards promising not to engage in impaired driving. At an assembly, the "ghost" students will read the obituaries they wrote for themselves, and students will hear from a Madison County coroner and a criminal justice training coordinator.

"We conduct the program in the spring because it is close to prom and graduation," explained Elaine Waters, professor of the EKU class. "Such events are huge in a young person's life and that's when many episodes of impaired driving or dangerous behavior with driving occur."

The class is promoting total community involvement by partnering with seven local community groups and sending letters to faculty and parents explaining the program.

The nursing students are sponsoring a public service announcement contest among the high school students, and the winner will receive $200.

For more information, contact Elaine Waters at 859-622-1970 or elaine.waters@eku.edu.