After being forced to take the Driver Education and Evaluation Program because of a drunken-driving conviction, I realized what an amazing, informative program it really is. I do feel, however, that younger people are being robbed of this incredible information and should have to take such a class in high school.

I was amazed at the amount of information and useful tools such a class offers, and how future drivers could benefit from the class before they are forced to take it because of an OUI.

There were 34 people in my class, and if one of them could be saved from having to take it, it would be well-worth it.

Society is very alcohol-driven, and it’s glamorized to a great extent. The class shows those attending the truth about alcohol and how easy it is to become addicted, and how that can affect every aspect of a person’s life.

It’s a shame I wasn’t aware of the information sooner; maybe I would have been one of the people it prevented from driving.

It was a wonderful, empowering experience for me, and I feel others deserve it as well. The public needs to concentrate more on prevention instead of punishment. That could save many, many innocent lives.

After all, knowledge is power.

Emmy Letourneau, Lewiston