MADD VIDEO FOCUSED ON ISSUES BEHIND TEEN PARTIES

Students at the Hugh Sutherland High School were provided with an
opportunity last week to view a new MADD Canada multi-media
presentation on driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Keeping control was the main of the Mother's Against Drunk Driving
presentation Nov. 21 at the Hugh Sutherland School.

"If you don't have control of your mind, you don't have control of
your car," said the narrator of latest public relations video touring
Canadian high schools, Mind Control.

Students from grades 9 through 12 at the high school listened to a
series of experts explain the hazards of driving under the influence
of drugs or alcohol. Displayed on three huge screens, these facts were
bracketed by candid comments from victim's family members and friends,
as well as survivors of vividly described motor vehicle accidents.

A glimpse into the extreme party scene was offered with an honest
meant to hit the target audience.

"Are you still being responsible," asked the narrator. "If you're so
high or drunk to notice that your designated driver has also lost control?"

The video focused on the rising occurrence of drug-impaired driving
and the attitude that cannabis far less dangerous than alcohol.

The presentation offered backup plans including the signing of a
Contract for Life with a parent or guardian, or the programming of a
universal taxi access number into the phone.

Kevin Spahich, western school field representative, said the focus of
each year's video presentation changes.

"Last year it was Crystal Meth, this year we have a focus on
marijuana. People are getting high and driving and that's obviously
not a good idea."

Good idea or not, the attitude is different toward driving after
smoking marijuana. "I don't think a lot of students necessarily know
(the effects). It's a different kind of high so they think it's okay
to be DD and get high instead."

This year, he said, MADD hopes to reach 600,000 students all across
Canada with the Mind Control tour.

The rising awareness of the issue is part of the reason behind the
formation of Double Trouble Drinking and Driving, a student group
formed in Hugh Sutherland high school five years ago with the goal of
promoting responsible driving.

"We started with three members," said Janet Cornell, the school's
family wellness councillor. "We've got 25 now."

The group was the recipient of a $1,500 donation from a Didsbury
welding company.

"I'm tired of seeing our youth die in unnecessary drunk driving
accidents," said Bill Shaw of Christopher's Welding in Didsbury. "And
anything I can do to support that, to prevent another life being
taken, I thought would be quite advantageous."

Shaw said there was no personal story behind the gesture, just the
concern as a parent.

"My kids are out of high school but I watch the news and I worry about
the kids. There's no real reason to die from drunk driving."

The donation was made to assist with the costs involved with members
of Double Trouble attending an upcoming Youth Against Impaired Driving
conference to be held in Edmonton in March.

The MADD presentation at the high school was sponsored by the
Carstairs FCSS and Robbin Bowman was on hand to give Cornell a $725
cheque.