Students told: Don't drink and drive

By DEBRA FRANCO
Herald Staff Writer

It influences how teens dress. It influences who they hang out with. It can influence a wrong choice, like drinking and driving.

That was the message Brandon Silveria brought to hundreds of Dade high school students this week, as they prepare for prom night and graduation.

``I had the world at my fingertips. In a second, it changed forever,'' Silveria told the seniors at Miami Beach High Tuesday. His words were spoken slowly, yet slurred. ``I had just a couple of beers and I learned the hard way.''

Silveria, now 26, suffered a brain injury after crashing his car into a tree when he was 17. He had been drinking at a party earlier that evening and fell asleep while driving home.

``Now I have to live with [my disabilities] because I made some stupid choices,'' he said.

As a result of his injuries, Silveria spent more than two months in a coma and nearly three years in rehabilitation. He now speaks to high school students around the country on behalf of The Century Council, warning them to think before they drink and drive.

The Century Council is a nonprofit organization that receives support from more than 800 brewers, vintners, distillers and wholesalers. The Council supported a bill passed last week in the Florida Legislature that lowered the legal blood alcohol level from .08 to .02 for drivers younger than 21. Under the new law, which takes effect Jan. 1, underage drivers will lose their license for six months if they are caught with a blood alcohol level of .02 or higher -- the equivalent of two beers.

Prom night and graduation are the time when high school students are most likely to become involved in an alcohol-related accident, said Miami Beach Police Sgt. Richard Pelosi, who listened to Silveria's speech.

As Silveria began to speak, several students snickered as he slowly formed each word. But after they watched a film previously aired on Rescue 911 that showed actual footage of the crash, the audience erupted into a standing ovation, with several students in tears.

``To see what he went through and how he came back so strong -- it's a really positive thing,'' said Olga Kalogeropoulos, 18, wiping away a tear. ``I've lost friends because of this and it really hit me hard.''

Silveria spoke at five schools Tuesday and Wednesday. Today, he delivers his message at Palmer Trinity High School, 7900 SW 176th Street, and Coral Park High School, 8865 SW 16th Street. Friday, Silveria will speak at Gulliver Preparatory School, 6575 N. Kendall Dr.

``You must take responsibility for the results of your choices,'' Silveria said. ``If you think you're cool enough to drive after you've been drinking, think about what you've seen here.''