ASU police officers heard a briefing from not only their superiors, but also two ASU students who introduced their new alcohol-awareness organization Thursday night.
Members of the ASU chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving visited a briefing held between the day and night shifts at the Tempe campus police station.
ASU's campus chapter is one of 11 such groups nationwide, said the group's president, business administration senior Robert Paulus.
Paulus said he and a few other students found out about MADD's college program online and founded an ASU chapter with funds from a grant given to MADD by the CarMax Foundation, the auto dealer's charitable branch.
"Personal life events kinda drove me to it," Paulus added. "Friends I know have been affected either by drunk driving or underage drinking."
The group has four members, but Paulus said they hope to increase students' awareness of alcohol issues and build up the group next semester.
The group is planning to partner with the statewide chapter of MADD on some events, he added, but it wants to stay focused on its key mission of reducing underage drinking and drunken driving.
Since its founding in April, members of the group have attended meetings of a University alcohol task force.
"We're the student voice on that [task force]," Paulus said. "We've been put into the loop as far as how we can be involved."
The campus chapter also hosted a forum to gather students' thoughts on alcohol-related issues and sent the findings to the task force.
Cmdr. Allen Clark coordinated the visit and introduced Paulus and journalism freshman Carly Campo, who will be the group's president next semester.
"Basically, our relationship with this program [is to] offer them any assistance they need," Clark told the officers.
The students came with water, snacks and a plaque to share with the officers.
"We know that you're patrolling where we sleep and live every day," Paulus told the officers. "We just want to support you and everything you do."
Officers applauded after Paulus' and Campo's presentation, and some stayed to speak with them afterward.
"It's great initiative on their part," Sgt. Rich Wilson said after talking to the students.
The department's relationship with the club has gotten off to a good start, Clark said.
"Robert seems to have a good vision of where the group wants to go," he said. "We're just trying to get involved and help out where we can."
Reach the reporter at brian.indrelunas@asu.edu.
