The following are comments
from some of the key players in the documentary and reflections by a group
of college students at St. Anselm College after a presentation of Just
One Night.
Judge Edwin
Kelly
Tom Boyle
The Colgan
Family
Prosecutor
John Stephen
Student
Reactions
Judge
Edwin W.Kelly
Administrative Judge
of the NH District Court:
“We are trying to establish
in as many courts as we can a panel of people from the community.
The young offenders will view the tape of Just One Night and then
spend several evenings with people on the panel – including their parents,
members of victim's groups, community providers/counselors, and law enforcement
officers.
Given the huge number of
kids in courts who are involved in the use and abuse of substances, I have
a concern that there is no clear understanding of the consequences of their
actions. This program offers a clear chance to see the consequence.
This is very different form the old scared straight approach.
My hope is that we don't
have the sort of revolving door that we have now in substance abuse cases.
Most offenders now plead guilty, pay a fine and leave. And that's
it. I hope this gives the young people an opportunity for some
insight – and not just a delay in their schedule and a slight crimp on
their bank account.”
Tom Boyle:
“The response to the program
has been an absolute surprise. Many people have said that I've had
an impact on them – which is what I hope.
People need to be aware that
what happened to me can happen to you. I had never thought about impaired
driving as an issue – in my youth, it wasn't a debate. Now I know.
Life really is about choices, and I hope this program can be some help
toward saving lives in the streets. Everyone's got to give a small
push. Its the least I can do.”
The Colgan
Family:
Brian Colgan was the
passenger who died when Tom Boyle crashed his car into a Concord city snow
plow. His parents, Phil and Marilyn Colgan, are now raising Mathew,
Brian's son. Here are some of their comments about Just One Night:
Phil Colgan:
“At the beginning
in 1997, Trooper Rod Forey came to the house and informed us about the
plan for Tom’s presentations. We were in agreement right away.
I went to three of the assemblies for Tom’s talk. We were very impressed
with the results. Now that it’s a television program, if it can save
a life – or a thousand – then that's the thing we'd like to see.”
Marilyn Colgan:
“My grandson Matt
– Brian’s son – is in 4th grade. He has asked his teacher to borrow
the film and present Just One Night to the class. The teacher
called – thought it might be too old for the class – but Matt is pushing
this – and they'll show it.” |