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.