The PEI Liquor Commission, in partnership with MADD Canada, is pleased to announce a series of multi-media presentations taking place in Island schools across the province March 22 - 26, 2010.
MADD Canada is seeking to reduce the number of young people being killed and injured on our roads with its 2010 High School Multi-Media Assembly Program – Wasted. The presentation tells the fictional story of a group of teenage friends and how their lives are changed forever when one wrong decision leads to a horrific car crash.
“This sponsorship will help MADD Canada bring its message to intermediate and senior high schools on the Island,” announced Hon. Robert Vessey, Minister Responsible for the PEI Liquor Control Commission. “The PEI Liquor Control Commission, is pleased to be able to make this dynamic multi-media program available to a large number of Island youth.”
Alcohol-related crashes take a disproportionate toll on young drivers. Road crashes are the number one cause of teen death in Canada and alcohol is a factor in 45% of those crashes. In 2006, 16-25 year olds constituted only 13.2% of the population, but accounted for 33.4% of the total deaths in alcohol-related crashes.
“Young people never think a road crash will happen to them, but the numbers tell a different story,” said MADD Canada National President Margaret Miller. “Wasted shows students that they each have the power to stop impaired driving by making the right choices.”
The High School Multi Media Assembly Program is one of MADD Canada’s largest and furthest-reaching programs. Wasted and its French counterpart, Fini, are expected to reach one million high school students across the country by the end of the 2009-2010 school year.
“MADD Canada is proud to work with the PEI Liquor Control Commission to deliver this important program to students in PEI,” Mrs. Miller said. “Together, we hope to help young people understand and appreciate the dangers of impaired driving, and encourage their commitment to sober driving.”