OAKVILLE, Ontario, March 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tomorrow is never guaranteed when someone makes the choice to drive impaired. That is the powerful message being seen by Saskatchewan students during the latest School Assembly Program delivered by MADD Canada and sponsored by Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) and Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA).
MADD Canada’s 2018-2019 School Assembly Program, titled No Tomorrow, is a 45-minute film which begins with a fictional story of a group of teen friends and concludes with the stories of real-life victims of impaired driving. It shows students how mixing alcohol, cannabis and other drugs with driving can have tragic and permanent consequences. The formal presentation is supplemented by an Educators’ Guide to help teachers and counsellors continue the crucial sober driving message all year long.
MADD Canada, SGI and SLGA are hosting a special screening for students at Thom Collegiate in Regina today to highlight the program’s tour of schools across the province.
The event includes two very special guests: The Honourable Joe Hargrave, Minister Responsible for SGI, and The Honourable Gene Makowsky, Minister responsible for SLGA. SGI and SLGA are long-time Provincial Sponsors of the program and this year are directly funding 25 and 60 presentations, respectively, to Saskatchewan students and schools.
Crashes were the leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 16 and 25 years in 2014, and MADD Canada estimates more than half of those crashes involved alcohol and/or drugs. MADD Canada produces a new School Assembly Program every year to educate students in Grades 7 – 12 about the dangers of impaired driving.
“Impaired driving kills hundreds of people and injures tens of thousands every year. Young people are at increased risk,” said MADD Canada Chief Operating Officer Dawn Regan. “Our School Assembly Program shows young people – through the fictional scenario and through the interviews with victims and survivors – just how easily a tragedy can happen if someone makes the choice to drive after drinking alcohol or consuming drugs.”
“SGI partners with MADD Canada for these events because it’s young people who are in a position to lead the change we want to see in this province when it comes to impaired driving," said Minister Responsible for SGI Joe Hargrave. "Every impaired driving death is 100 per cent preventable, and we want to drive home the fact that there are very real consequences to driving impaired.”
No Tomorrow tells the story of bandmates Marcus, Corey, Trevor and Lee. After winning a contest to record a demo, they get an incredible chance to audition for a music school. Before their audition, Trevor has a few drinks. He is affected more than he thinks, and makes mistakes during the audition. Marcus is offered a spot at the school right away, and Corey and Lee are given an opportunity to re-apply next year. But Trevor, who was obviously impaired during the audition, is not offered a spot or chance to re-apply. The school has a zero tolerance policy for alcohol or drugs. Trevor storms off to the car. Marcus tries unsuccessfully to take the keys. Realizing he can’t stop Trevor from driving away, Marcus jumps in the car. What happens next changes all of their lives forever.
A clip of the new program is available on MADD Canada’s web site.
Surveys show MADD Canada’s education efforts are resonating with young people. In a 2017-2018 survey about that year’s School Assembly Program, titled The Pact, students said:
- the program effectively delivered the sober driving message (66%);
- it motivated them to make the right decision when it comes to preventing impaired driving (74%);
- they had or planned to have conversations with family and friends about impaired driving (73%);
- and they supported having a similar presentation at the school the following year (97%).
About Saskatchewan Government Insurance
Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) is the province’s self-sustaining auto insurance fund. SGI operates 21 claims centres and five salvage centres across Saskatchewan with a head office in Regina. SGI is the traffic safety advocate for the province and the administrator of the Traffic Safety Act. Visit: www.sgi.sk.ca.
About the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority
The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) is responsible for the control and regulation of liquor, gaming and cannabis across the province. Visit: www.slga.com.
About MADD Canada
MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) is a national, charitable organization that is committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims of this violent crime. With volunteer-driven groups in more than 100 communities across Canada, MADD Canada aims to offer support services to victims/survivors, heighten awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and save lives and prevent injuries on our roads. For more information, visit www.madd.ca.