I love my children, family and friends. Do you love yours? Do you love them enough to take responsibility, and not drink and drive?

My loved ones drive these roads everyday and everyday I worry about them. I worry because I know the pain and suffering that comes with unexpectedly losing your loved one to someone who has chosen to be careless and gotten behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking or even after taking prescription medication.

I have experienced it firsthand, with a death in my family and I experience it in my job as a victim advocate. I try to help families cope with the loss of their loved one, a loss that was unexpected. I sit with them while they try to be strong, but can’t, while they try to understand how this could be happening to their family. They have more than enough to cope with making arrangements for their loved ones, let alone getting through another day.

What do you say to make it better or maybe just a little more bearable? The answer is nothing. There is nothing I can say to them that will help ease their pain, to make them feel comforted or to explain why this is happened.

It is a senseless tragedy and one that can be avoided. Please realize the possible consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications.

If we take responsibility when drinking, we will save lives and who knows the life you save may be your own or a loved one.

 

Karen Samples is a member of Team DUI. She lives in Kelseyville.