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Ghost Out integrates with the National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. Each year, VTLSP sponsors a statewide Ghost Out. The purpose is to increase student awareness of the problem of drinking and driving, and the number of lives lost in alcohol related crashes.

In America, 15,935 persons lost their lives in an alcohol related crash in 1998. This is an average of one alcohol related fatality every 33 minutes. To impress upon students how many lives are lost during a school day, approximately 12 students will "Ghost Out", signifying they are dead. When a student dies, he/she will stand and say, "I have just become a victim of an alcohol related crash." He/she will then paint his face white, put on all black, or wear a black arm band. At the end of the school day, schools are encouraged to hold an assembly to explain the "Ghost Out".

Remind students at this assembly that about 2 in every 5 Americans will be involved in alcohol related crashes some time in their lives. Also remind them to never ride with an impaired driver and to always buckle up.

Some schools invite members of the Vermonters Impact Panel or community members whose lives have been affected by an alcohol related crash to speak at the assembly. Some use the VT "Teen Crashes" slice show. VTLSP recommends staggering this event every 2 or 3 years to maximize the impact.