Pubdate: Sat, 09 Dec 2006 Source: Stouffville Sun/Tribune (CN ON) Copyright: 2006 Stouffville Sun/Tribune Contact: http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/Newscentre/Sun_Tribune/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2431 Author: Caitlin Leger Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving) DRIVING MESSAGE HOME ON DRINKING Next Generation There is more at risk than losing your licence when you decide to drink and drive. Teenagers, especially, have more to lose. Whether through personal choice or peer pressure, underage drinking and drug use is common in Stouffville and elsewhere. As serious as that may be, getting behind the wheel while impaired is a whole other story. A new survey finds 19 per cent of teenagers drive under the influence of alcohol, 15 per cent drive after using marijuana, and 7 per cent report driving under the influence of other drugs. These numbers are shocking. What is it that causes teenagers to drive impaired or get into the car with a clearly intoxicated driver? Is it the lack of transit late at night? Or maybe teenagers don't want their parents to know the state they are in. How do we reduce impaired driving locally? Live presentations or videos showing the consequences of getting behind the wheel drunk or high would work. Just don't candy coat the message. A Students Against Drunk Driving chapter at Stouffville District Secondary School would raise awareness and possibly even raise money for families who suffer a loss due to impaired driving. Don't think this is a problem in Whitchurch-Stouffville? Attend some weekend parties involving young people and you'll see drinks everywhere, people rolling joints and teenagers playing games, such as "shot for shot". The problem exists here and elsewhere. Now, what are we going to do about it, Stouffville? - --- MAP posted-by: Derek