Pubdate: Fri, 02 Sep 2005
Source: Oakville Beaver (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005, Oakville Beaver
Contact:  http://www.haltonsearch.com/hr/ob/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1600
Author: Howard Mozel
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving)

MADD OUT THIS WEEKEND

The Halton/Peel Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and
Halton Regional Police will be working together this Labour Day
Weekend to ensure the roads are safe for everyone to enjoy.

On Saturday, Sept. 3, R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere)
checkpoints will be conducted throughout the region with both officers
and MADD volunteers taking part.

After all, say organizers, this holiday weekend is associated with
cottages, boating and families and friends celebrating the end of
summer. It is also linked to drinking and driving and is consequently
one of the most dangerous holiday periods for alcohol-related deaths.

As a result, MADD Halton/Peel has selected this weekend to conduct a
public awareness campaign to help prevent tragedies caused by drinking
and driving.

MADD Halton/Peel president Jeff Gareau emphasizes that too many
Ontarians are continuously being killed or injured as a result of
people who drink and drive.

In addition, MADD Halton/Peel is in need of new board members and
fundraisers. Please call 905-844-0096 or visit http://www.maddhalton.ca.

Also this week, MADD Canada launched its new drug-impaired driving
awareness campaign aimed at both youth and post-secondary students.

For young drivers and the next generation of drivers, drugs like
marijuana are the most popular form of hallucinogen and, therefore,
drug-impaired driving is of growing importance concerning safe roads
in this country. The new drug impaired driving campaign is designed
to inform young Canadians that it is not all right to toke or take drugs
and drive.

"As students start back to school, and colleges and universities begin
their frosh weeks, we want to urge young Canadians that if they're
drinking or taking drugs at their parties, don't drive," says Karen
Dunham, National President of MADD Canada.

"Drugs like marijuana are popular with students and there is a myth
out there that it is all right to toke and drive. It isn't. Drug
impairment is as dangerous as if you're drinking alcohol."

MADD Canada is commencing its anti-drugs and driving campaign at
Canadian colleges and universities with media releases through this
week and with on-line materials dedicated to its awareness effort.

This fall MADD Canada will release new public service announcements
focused on drug impaired driving. "If you're high, you can't drive"
will speak directly to young people and debunk misconceptions about
drugs and driving.

"We're very concerned with the mixed messages in the public about
marijuana and other popular drugs. Young drivers need to realize the
dangers of drug impaired driving, just as this generation of drivers
has understood the dangers of alcohol and driving," Dunham said. "We
need young Canadians to get it. If you're high, you can't drive."

Andrew Murie, MADD Canada's Chief Executive Officer observed that the
organization has become more involved with drugs and driving out of
necessity.

"The trends show that drug impaired driving is a growing concern. MADD
Canada wants the public to know the risks and what can be done to
combat drug impaired driving. We also want to help the police with
this new challenge and ensure the judiciary understands the disturbing
impaired driving trends."

MADD Canada, in partnership with national police groups, released in
May a classroom video, Not Ready To Go which features the horrific
drug-related crash that killed five teenage students from Kanata.

The organization has also partnered with police in urging the federal
government to pass new drug impaired driving legislation - something
that is likely this autumn.

For information on the campaign and MADD visit http://www.madd.ca.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin