A new short film on drug and alcohol prevention seeks to tell teens and adults alike that they aren’t the only ones affected by the consequences of reckless behavior.
“It’s Not Just You,” comes from the nonprofit, Kent-based organization Heidi’s Promise. It tells the true story of the fatal car crash that ended the lives of teenagers Heidi Munson (inset photo) and Nicholas Spies in 2004, and is narrated by Heidi’s father, Eric, also the president of Heidi’s Promise.
In April 2004, 25-year-old Joshua Blum was found to been drinking, smoking marijuana and taking methamphetamines, when he crashed a car killing them. Blum survived, but suffered severe and irreparable brain damage.
“The goal of the film, ‘It’s Not Just You’, is to show the rippling effects that a death caused by drinking and driving has on the whole community,” Eric Munson said. “From the family, to the schools, to the friends, and even the first responders, these crashes affect more than just the people directly involved.”
Not only are the testimonies gripping from family and friends, but also emergency workers and a neighbor who heard the accident and was one of the first people at the scene of the crash involving Heidi and other four teens in the car.
Her father started speaking in schools in 2005 and the nonprofit officially started in 2008. Munson has spoken to more than 75 schools and community events throughout the state and more than 50,000 students.
“My passion and my promise to my daughter, Heidi’s Promise, is to share Heidi’s life and her story to as many people as I can in order to bring a sense of reality on the tragedies caused by drinking and driving and drug use,” Munson shared via email.
Munson has seen evidence of the positive impact his presentation and story have had on people, with students making a commitment to not drink and drive and use drugs, which he said is amazing to be a part of.
Munson and his wife, Rebecca, run the organization from their home with the support of local fire and police departments, the Kent Safe and Drug Free Coalition, community service groups, prevention coalitions, faith-based groups, the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission and many school districts.
“Every time I watch it (the film), the emotions are brought to the surface and I’m reminded of how much I love and miss my little girl,” Munson said. “But on the other hand, as it is with our presentations, we see the reaction of the audiences and it’s so good to see that Heidi’s life and her legacy is continuing to make a difference.”
Kurt Phelps, a teacher in the Kent School District, is inspired by his longtime friend’s tireless efforts.
“As a father as well, I can’t imagine what I would do if something happened to one of my kids,” Phelps said in an email. “I am just so in awe of his resolve to make what happened into a way to help others – he is awe inspiring and an inspiration. I can’t think of a more selfless act.”
Stacy Judd is the public education specialist for the Kent Police Department and appears in the video, too, along with Phelps and others.
“When it comes to impacting the entire environment with strategies to prevent underage drinking, it takes many different pieces and the video will become one of those pieces,” Judd said.
Munson hopes to spread the message of awareness and hope around the country with the distribution of the film.
More information is available at www.heidispromise.org and a film trailer is available on youtube.com.
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