East Texas

The East Texas chapter of MADD this week will sponsor events to raise awareness of and recognize people who combat the problem of drunken driving.

It is part of the chapter's "Tie One On for Safety" campaign urging motorists to place a red ribbon or red magnet on their vehicle as a pledge to drive safely and sober, said Vicki Knox, executive director.

Nearly 13,000 people are killed, and half a million are injured each year in alcohol-related traffic crashes, according to statistics from MADD.

A highlight of the campaign will be a luncheon at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Peltier Nissan dealership at 3201 WSW Loop 323, which will include speakers and presentations of Difference Maker awards, Ms. Knox said.

Speakers will include Joey Seeber, Tyler mayor; Dr. David Lakey, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services; and Charles Hurley, MADD's national chief executive officer.

Lakey, who became commissioner this year, heads the state agency responsible for overseeing substance abuse and treatment programs. Before becoming commissioner, Lakey was chief of the Division of Clinical Infectious Disease and medical director at the Center for Pulmonary and Infectious Disease Control at The University of Texas Health Center at Tyler.

Hurley has served on the MADD National Board of Directors and National Board of Advisors and is a former vice president of the National Safety Council's Transportation Safety Group.

RECOGNITIONS

Difference Maker awards will be presented to Lana Taylor, Cindy Grimes and Sheryl Coffey. Ms. Taylor and Ms. Grimes, both have had relatives killed in drunken driving accidents. They volunteer on victim impact panels and speak to people who have been arrested for drunken driving offenses.

Ms. Coffey is director of the Piney Woods Regional Advisory Council (Trauma Service Area G), a group that coordinates medical trauma services.

Special recognition will be given to The University of Texas at Tyler and Texas College for becoming two of the first colleges in the nation to establish University MADD chapters.

MADD representatives also are set to show appreciation to representatives of Champion EMS, Tyler Police Department, Smith County Sheriff's Office, Texas Department of Public Safety and Smith County district attorney's office.

On Wednesday, the Texas College and UT Tyler UMADD chapters will sponsor "UMADD JAM (Jab Alcohol Misuse)" from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at UT Tyler's University Center. The event will attempt to raise awareness on the dangers of alcohol.

"Tie One On" is being presented by Piney Woods Regional Advisory Council Trauma Ser-vice Area G. Other sponsors are The Rogers Foundation, Chick-fil-A, CBS 19, Trinity Mother Frances Health System, Southside Bank, Dobbs & Tittle, Good Shepherd Health System, East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System, The University of Texas at Tyler, Hibbs Family Foundation, AAA Sec-urity Driving Academy, Austin Bank, Insurance One Agency and ComputerLand.