Pubdate: Wed, 29 Nov 2006
Source: Tumbler Ridge News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Tumbler Ridge News
Contact:  http://www.tumblerridgenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3600

NORTHERN HEALTH RECOGNIZES NATIONAL ADDICTIONS AWARENESS WEEK WITH
APPEAL AGAINST DRUG USE AND DRIVING

Northern Health is marking National Addictions Awareness Week by 
asking youth across the region to inform themselves about the dangers 
of using drugs and driving. NH is also asking parents of young 
drivers to inform their kids about the risks linked with drug use and driving.

"It is so important that young people are aware of the potentially 
devastating outcome of driving while under the influence of drugs," 
said MLA Blair Lekstrom. "We want every young person in the North to 
know that getting behind the wheel just isn't an option."

"Everyone knows the dangers of drinking and driving. But many people 
don't know that using drugs and getting behind the wheel can be every 
bit as dangerous, by affecting a driver's reflexes and judgement. We 
need to change that perception if we're to make our region's roads 
safer" said Debra Fawcett, NH Youth Mental Health and Addiction 
Services regional manager.

According to data available from 94 police departments in nine 
provinces, drivers aged 19 to 24 continue to have the highest rates 
for impaired driving  representing 56 per cent of all reported 
criminal incidents. Stats Canada data indicates there were 237 
impaired driving incidents per 100,000 people across the country in 
2005. In the same period, BC had a higher rate of over 255 incidents 
per 100,000 people.

Northern BC has some of the highest motor vehicle crash rates in the 
province, a fact that NH and partner agencies have worked to address 
by forming the regional RoadHealth Coalition. Northern BC youth have 
also expressed their concern to NH addictions staff about drug use and driving.

NH addictions staff members are asking young drivers to think of 
using drugs and driving as being just as dangerous as drinking and 
driving. In particular, they should always have a designated driver 
who will neither be drinking nor using any substances. Parents should 
also pay particular attention to making sure any young drivers in 
their families know the risks of using drugs and driving.

As part of National Addictions Awareness Week, NH addictions staff 
members will launch a pilot education project in Prince George to 
inform young drivers of the dangers of using drugs and driving. This 
effort will include work to encourage young people to use designated drivers.
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