Mid-Atlantic Regional Newsletter                                                             July 2021

What does this mean? More opportunities for drunk and drugged driving. At MADD we continue to work alongside local authorities to keep our roads safe, but there is so much you can do to help us in this fight against Drunk and Drugged driving. I ask that you begin by encouraging family, friends and loved ones to be responsible this summer as they travel.

If you would like to connect with me, please don’t hesitate to email me at Roderick.howard@madd.org

How can you Help?

* Register as an individual or team - over 36,000 participants and 2,000 teams walked with us last year

 

* Become a virtual walker - show your support even if you can't attend the event

 

* Donate - make an impact by helping us reach our fundraising goal so that we can continue to provide our programs and services at no cost to the community

 

* Volunteer - from joining a planning committee to helping on the day of the walk, there's is a place for you

 

* Sponsor - show your customers, employees and entire community how committed you are to safer roads

 

* Start a Walk Like MADD in your community - Help us raise awareness about these 100% preventable crimes by starting a Walk Like MADD event in your local city.

 

WILL YOU WALK WITH US? WE NEED YOU MORE THAN EVER

 

Walk like MADD  Virginia – August 28, 2021

www.walklikemadd.org/virginia

 

Walk like MADD Maryland – September 18, 2021

www.walklikemadd.org/Maryland

solving. The impact on driving of combining marijuana and alcohol appears to be greater than the impact of either substance by itself.

 

MADD’s Cannabis report is the result of a study which found that - 41% of study participants responded that driving under the influence of marijuana is safer than driving under the influence of alcohol.  - 12% admitted to driving within 2 hours of using cannabis. - 27% were unsure if driving after consuming cannabis was legal. -4 out of 10 parents/grandparents have never talked to the next generation about driving high.

Its apparent much education is needed. Help us spread the word in your communities! If you feel different, you drive different.  Resources:  MADD’s Cannabis Report,  Insurance Institute on Highway Safety, Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute on Drug Abuse

complicated than that. Not only are crashes occurring at an alarming rate, the criminal justice system has been inundated with new cases, while trying to process the numerous cases that were postponed for several months in 2020. When COVID-19 upended all of our lives in the spring of 2020, in order to manage our sudden public health crisis, almost everything closed to help keep the public safe. Therefore, in addition to our favorite restaurants, kids’ schools, places of worship and retail establishment were shuttered. Various state and city governments were closed as well. District and Circuit courts all over the Mid-Atlantic region were forced to delay the start of criminal justice proceedings to later in the summer of 2020. Those fortunate court personnel staff members, conducted a lot of their work from home.

 

Before COVID-19 changed everything, immediately after a serious (or fatal) substance impaired driving collision occurred, the applicable jurisdictional enforcement agency ‘Crash Team’ would begin their investigations that could last anywhere from 4 to 6 months (in most, not all instances). After their probes were completed, the report was sent to applicable State or Commonwealth Attorney’s offices, where they would decide which charges (if any) should be filed. If and when an offender was charged, hearings would be scheduled and cases would advance in due process. As many of you know all too well, survivors look to the criminal justice system for much needed closure and a sense of justice for alleged crimes that were committed. However, the post-COVID reality has added the unwanted elements that include multiple postponements, proceeding delays (sometimes happening on the day of) and court room logistical nightmares that result in scheduling conflicts. For many victims and advocates, the deferments, uneven access to information, and virtual hearings have only increased feelings of uncertainty and frustration. The facts are devastating: There is no amount of money, judgement or criminal sentence served (or imposed) that will bring a loved one back, or that can erase the pain and challenges that can come with healing from an injury. Nevertheless, the sentencing phase provides victims a chance to draft, read and share their Victim Impact Statements which offer a small glimpse into how the crash has impacted their worlds emotionally, physically, financially and more. Families that have had to delay this important aspect of their healing, has been excruciating.

In addition, when county courts re-opened in the summer of 2020, they looked and felt very different. Not only was a once very public space restricted in terms of available space, but the actual number of people that could be present in-person was sharply reduced. This has ensured that much of MADD’s essential court accompaniment had to be done virtually or via conference call. Our usual emotional support that had included tissues and hugs, had to shift to Zoom calls and PIN codes. The victims that we are supporting, needed to be prepped beforehand and debriefed after. MADD worked hard to make sure that victims also had to be educated about the art of advocacy, so they could make sure they got what they got their support, in the event we were not able physically able to mediate when necessary. Even court support volunteers had to be trained about how to find and access proceedings online and how to aid survivors even though they might be far apart.

 

Our work continues. MADD Victim Services had to shift the service delivery, but not the services. And while we miss being in the courtrooms with our families and it’s been almost impossible to provide comfort when the prosecutor, judge or defense attorney delivers bad news, we are still there and monitoring all cases regardless of platform. We understand better than most how stressful and overwhelming the criminal justice process is, so we have been more committed, diligent and determined to try to reduce the inevitable stresses as much as possible. We reach out to court clerks if we have to. We attend conferences with prosecutors. We still help survivors draft Victim Impact Statements, provide templates and brochures. We work hard to make sure families understand the importance of reading their statements, as opposed to sending letters. We provide families referrals for Civil Justice remedies should they inquire. Our court support for families remains just as victim-led as all of our other resources are. MADD Victim Services is committed to be there during this challenging time, regardless of the hurdles and challenges in our way. For more information about MADD Victim Services; or for information on how to become a volunteer as a court supporter, please email robin.stimson@madd.org or alisa.oneill@madd.org..

 

 

How to Cope When People Who Say the Wrong Things During Your Grief Journey

 

We love our family and friends, but just like us they make mistakes; sometimes they can say some hurtful and unhelpful things (unintentionally) during our grief journey.

 

They might say things like:

“Time heals all/ Everything happens for a reason.”

“You can still have more children/You have other children.”

“Why are you still crying about what happened?”

 

First and foremost, you have every right to feel how you feel the during your grief journey. There will be some days where you feel fine, and some somedays where you don’t-that is perfectly normal. Greif is never neat nor linear. However, please be compassionate with yourself while you are adjusting to the traumatic changes. When we start to understand how we grieve, it makes it easier to advocate for ourselves when those around us don’t understand the complexity of grief.

 

Here are some ways to advocate for yourself:

1. You can confront them and educate them about grief and how it affects you and other people differently.
2. You can surround yourself with more people who support you through your grief journey and understand how you feel. For example, we have a virtual support group that meets every second Tuesday of the month via Zoom from 6pm to 7 pm.
3. You can limit your time with people who tend to belittle your feelings, especially when trigger days are approaching and you need some time honor and remember your loved one or it is just one of those days where it’s hard- which is okay! Creating a boundary is not selfish, it’s self-care! However, please do not hessite to reach out to our 24-hour victim hotline because MADD is here to listen and support you.

Hopefully, this article encourages self-advocacy and makes you feel empowered. Remember your grief journey is yours, and only yours; you are entitled to your feelings while adjusting to traumatic changes. The grief we feel is the price we pay in love our loved ones.  Please reach out to the Victim Services team if you would like more support and information regarding are Virtual Support Group.

 

• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-guest-room/201606/the-worst-things-say-someone-whos-mourning   
• https://www.lensofjen.org/how-to-comfort-someone-who-lost-a-loved-one/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoYfDmb6_8AIVSuKzCh3NIAPpEAMYAiAAEgLKh_D_BwE 
• https://www.funeralguide.co.uk/help-resources/bereavement-support/coping-with-bereavement/coping-with-hurtful-words-and-attitudes-during-grief 

Did you know:

 

• Parents are the leading influence on teenagers’ decisions about drinking. Believe it or not, teens list their parents as a significant influencer in their decisions to not drink alcohol before the age of 21.
• In 2019, about 24.6 percent of 14- to 15-year-olds reported having at least one drink.

MADD knows that to create a future of No More Victims® we must start by educating and empowering youth to make healthy choices. At MADD, we have two great programs, and I would like to discuss the flexible and safe opportunities we offer so that you may implement these programs at your school. Please feel free to click on the links below to learn more about these programs. We understand the uncertainty around possible in-person learning, so both presentations can be done virtually or in-person. All programs are free of charge.

 

Power of Parents

• MADD’s Power of Parents program equips parents to have intentional and ongoing conversations with their teens about the dangers and consequences of underage drinking. Visit madd.org/powerofparents for tips and resources.
• Three out of four teens say their parents are the leading influence on their decisions about drinking-so start talking and keep talking until they are 21.

Power of You(th)

• MADD’s Power of You(th) program empowers teens to take a stand against underage drinking and drug use, and to never ride with an impaired driver.
• Two-thirds of underage drinking – related deaths do not include a vehicle.
• Teens will hear from a Victim of Drunk or Drugged Driving to share how an Impaired driver has affected their life
• Teens can read real-life stories, learn how to get out of unsafe situations and pledge to protect their friends at powerofyouth.com

With your support, we can and will make a difference and take one step closer to our mission of No More Victims. For more information and how to get involved contact Julia Halberstam at julia.halberstan@madd.org for Maryland MADD Programs and Cristi Cousins at cristi.cousins@madd.org for Virginia MADD Programs.

tragedy, pain and suffering struck his family. His dear 24-year-old son, Officer Noah Leotta, was keenly aware of the extremely serious and deadly impact of drunk and drugged drivers and was vigorous, vigilant, and visible in his efforts to prevent this senseless and deadly crime. Therefore, he volunteered for the Montgomery County Police Alcohol Holiday Task Force and was struck and killed by a multiple time offender reckless and irresponsible drunk and drugged driver while making a roadside stop of another suspected impaired driver. Officer Noah Leotta was killed by the exact crime his was trying to protect us from.  However, even though he and his family were dealing with immense sorrow and grief, they summoned the strength, with the support of family, friends, Montgomery County Police Department, MADD, community, and so many others, to become part of a 7-year effort to strengthen Maryland’s weak drunk driving laws. Because of the tireless efforts of Richard and his family and many others, lobbying in the halls of Annapolis, Noah’s Law was passed. It is a righteous law that will truly save lives by primarily requiring ignition interlock devices be installed in the cars of convicted drunk drivers. Though Officer Noah Leotta died at the hands of a drunk driver on December 10, 2015, he and all the victims of drunk driving in the state of Maryland, were reborn on October 1, 2016, with the enactment of Noah’s Law. However, more can be done and must be done to stop this deadly crime! Therefore, even though Noah and the victims that lost their lives and voices at the hands of drunk and drugged drivers, Richard, his family and many others have become the voices of these victims, and continue Officer Noah Leotta’s legacy by being vigorous, vigilant, and visible in their efforts to prevent drunk and drugged driving. Let’s save lives together and keep Noah on patrol!

1. How does MADD empower you to honor your loved one(s)? MADD has offered me the opportunity and privilege to honor Noah’s life, legacy, and memory by giving me a platform to carry on Noah’s voice and mission to save lives by preventing this deadly and senseless crime.
2. What do think is a misconception about MADD or our mission? MADD has made great progress to stop drunk and drugged driving.  However, over the years it has expanded it’s efforts from stopping drunk and drugged driving by engaging in political activism, using various tools and methods with the courts and offenders to prevent repeat offenders, and to provide support, guidance and love to the victims and families of drunk and drugged driving.
3. How do you advocate against Impaired Driving in your everyday life? I have established the Officer Noah Aaron Leotta Foundation Inc. that was formed with the purpose of continuing Officer Noah Leotta’s work and passion of protecting the public from drunk and drugged drivers, and thereby save lives.  It is with this purpose in mind that we have the following mission: Eliminate driving while intoxicated with alcohol and other substances, support victims of these violent crimes, prevent underage drinking and promote awareness of the problems of driving while intoxicated with alcohol and other substances; and to promote other safety and educational goals.
4. Even though the year is not over, can you share a personal or professional highlight with us? Though it was disappointing and frustrating to not get the support from Annapolis to close the lethal loophole in Noah’s Law, I will follow Noah’s example and be more vigorous, vigilant, and visible to close this loophole next year.  However, for now I will turn my attention and focus to federal government, and help pass the HALT and RIDE acts that will require new cars to be installed with passive technology that will prevent impaired driving and save 9,400 lives per year.
5. What is your favorite quote or saying? Forgiveness liberates the soul. That’s why it’s such a powerful weapon. Do onto others as you would want others to do onto you. Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause.

Calendar of Events

 

August 3rd 2021- National Night Out- For more information and how to get involved contact Julia Halberstam at julia.halberstan@madd.org for Maryland MADD Programs and Cristi Cousins at cristi.cousins@madd.org for Virginia MADD Programs.

 

August 28th 2021- Saturation Saturday- For more information and how to get involved contact Roderick Howard at Roderick.howard@madd.org.

 

Maryland Event:

September 18th 2021- Maryland Walk Like MADD- To register go to www.walklikemadd.org

 

Virginia Events:

August 28th 2021 -Virginia Walk like MADD- To register go to www.walklikemadd.org

 

Victim Support Groups 

 

MADD Monthly Support Group – Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 6:00 pm (EST
For Victims of Impaired Driving Only
Link: https://madd.zoom.us/j/91097099232?pwd=MFltL1BKZU50MnNQQ01YZzJQUTQxQT09
Meeting ID: 910 9709 9232
Password: 397693
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,91097099232# US (Germantown)
+13126266799,,91097099232# US (Chicago)

 

MADD Virtual Injured Survivor Support Group – East Coast: Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at 6:30 pm (EST)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/east-coast-madd-injured-survivors-virtual-monthly-support-group-tickets-150322445481

MADD and the Living Legacy Foundation Grief Education Workshop: Sudden Loss “Where Do I Go From Here?” – Thursday, July 29, 2021 at 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm (EST)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82946603571?pwd=U3dFQkEzRHRRZjdHcjVVZkU2a1E5dz09

Meeting ID: 829 4660 3571
Passcode: 128521
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