GOHS Planner Honored by Gravedigger Ministries 

The Gravedigger television ministries hosted “An Evening with Law Enforcement on Thursday, April 17, 2008 and one of GOHS' planners, Barbara Jones, was honored for her work with Georgia high schools via the SADD program in general and specifically work with Prom Safety including Pebblebrook High School in Cobb County.

For more than 20 years, SADD has been committed to empowering young people to lead education and prevention initiatives within their schools and communities. Founded as Students Against Driving Drunk in 1981 in Wayland, Massachusetts, SADD has grown to become the nation’s dominant peer-to-peer youth prevention organization with thousands of chapters in high schools. In 1997, in response to request from SADD students themselves, SADD expanded its mission and name, and now sponsors chapters called Students Against Destructive Decisions. SADD continues to endorse a firm “no use” message related to use of alcohol and other drugs. With its expanded focus, SADD now highlights prevention of all destructive behaviors and attitudes that are harmful to young people, including underage drinking, substance abuse impaired driving, violence and suicide.

SADD’s unique approach involves young people delivering education and prevention messages to their peers through school-and community-wide activities and campaigns responsive to the needs of their particular locations. Projects may include peer-led classes and theme-focused forums, teen workshops, conferences and rallies, prevention education and leadership training, and awareness-raising activities and legislative work. Independent studies have shown that students in schools with an established SADD chapter are more and informed about the risks of underage drinking, other drug use and impaired driving. Students in schools with a SADD chapter are also more likely to hold attitudes reflecting positive reasons not to use alcohol.

The Gravedigger ministry, founded in 1990, has been on Atlanta’s Channel 57 for nearly ten years and across the nation on DBSSky Angel Satellite for eight years. The Gravedigger Ministry was founded on the remarkable life story of Joe Oreskovich. As a child he suffered tremendous abuse and pain. Overcoming the challenges, Joe became a professional in the insurance industry until drugs and alcohol consumed him. He lost his family, career and all worldly possessions ultimately finding himself living in a cardboard box on the streets of south Atlanta. On the brink of suicide, Joe was led to Jesus Christ by a firefighter. After serving time in the county jail, Joe worked part-time jobs as he pursued his vision—to build a memorial park for public safety personnel. That park was eventually built in College Park and became a reality in the 1990s.

In 1998, Joe launched his ministry into broadcast media, starting with a humble program on Christian television beginning with Channel 57 in Norcross. The Gravedigger Show became an instant hit with audiences as Joe effectively and sincerely addressed topic after topic that affect our community and often addressing some aspect of public safety. The ministry established a suicide hotline that, over the years, led to a reported 600-plus people turning from suicide.

Congratulations again to Barbara Jones for her dedication and hard work to helping Georgia youth on and off the roadways. For more information on SADD in Georgia, visit http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/saddga.html.

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