The West Sioux High School and the Hawarden Police Department have teamed up to bring "Fatal Vision" to the West Sioux School System and the communities they serve. Fatal Vision is a police run program whose namesake is taken directly from the technology that makes it possible – Fatal Vision Goggles. Jim Hansen, High School Guidance Counselor, was able to purchase the needed equipment through the Drug and Alcohol Education money he receives each year from the state. The equipment was then turned over to the police department to be used to present the program to the students. You can learn more about "Fatal Vision" here.

When Fatal Vision goggles are worn, they allow an individual the opportunity to experience the dangers of being impaired from drugs or alcohol without suffering the real consequences. Individuals are able to have a first hand account of impairment of coordination and judgement.

Fatal Vision goggles are a specially designed and manufactured pair of goggles that simulate the visual impairment caused by alcohol or other drugs. The goggles are similar to the goggles worn while working in woodshop, Fatal Vision goggles have specially cut lenses that distort visual perception. The wearer experiences a loss of equilibrium, which is one of the effects of intoxication. Once a person has them on, they are asked to perform certain tasks that under non-intoxicated circumstances would not seem difficult to complete. With the distortion of the goggles, the tasks become difficult and sometimes impossible to accomplish. Both the wearer and those observing are convinced that such impairment makes activities with known risks, such as driving a vehicle, very dangerous.

On Tuesday, October 21 Sgt. John Millikan and Chief Mike DeBruin were at the High School presenting “Fatal Vision” to the Freshman Health Classes. Students were given the opportunity to try the goggles, which simulate three different impairment levels, and see how each different impairment level effected them personally. Each student was given the opportunity to dribble a basketball, attempt a standard field sobriety test, and play catch while wearing the goggles. The students were also given handouts and listened to a short presentation by Sgt. Millikan.