With a realistic story line in which most young people could imagine themselves, and personal stories showing the heartache and grief caused by impaired driving, MADD Canada’s 2012-2013 School Assembly Program challenges students to consider their perceptions and choices when it comes to mixing alcohol and/or drugs with driving.

“Reaching teens and young adults with the sober driving message is one of our most important priorities,” said MADD Canada National President Denise Dubyk. “Each year, MADD Canada produces a new School Assembly Program designed to get students thinking about the risks of impaired driving and make them understand that tragedy occurs when people make wrong choices.”

Impaired driving takes a huge toll on Canadian youth. Nearly 50 per cent of all road crash deaths involving 15 to 24 year olds are alcohol-related. In 2009, approximately 350 young people were killed and 41,000 were injured in impairment-related crashes. Also in 2009, 16-25 year olds constituted just 13.7 per cent of the population, but accounted for nearly 31.1 per cent of all alcohol-related crash deaths.

Long Weekend will be presented to students on October 18 at Selkirk Secondary School at 8:45 a.m. and Mount Baker Secondary at 12:40 and 2:00 p.m.

“I am thrilled to have the program come to Cranbook and Kimberley,” says Katryna Sigurdson, MADD Cranbrook/Kimberley Community Leader. “Educating this age group is essential at changing long term behaviours. We also encourage parents to come out and view the presentation.”

Long Weekend opens with Brian, his brother Malcolm, girlfriend Jessica and best friend Raj on a trip to the cottage. The four youths drink, smoke pot and make increasingly risky decisions. The weekend takes a horrific turn when an impaired Brian attempts to drive into town with Jessica.
The fictional story is then followed by emotional and moving real-life stories of four people who were killed in impaired driving crashes:  In a scenario that is probably very familiar to students who will see the show, 16-year-old Katelynn Porter accepted a ride from someone she thought she could trust. But the 17-year-old driver was impaired and crashed the car.

Parents of five, Brad and Krista Howe were on their way home from an evening out when their car was struck by an impaired driver. They were just eight blocks from home.

Grandmother Donna Kennie, whose car was struck head-on by an impaired driver. She and her grandson Jordan were on their way back from the grocery store after picking up supplies for a family camp-out.

The School Assembly Program has been a cornerstone of MADD Canada’s youth services since 1994. More than one million students will see Long Weekend, and the French language program called Dommages, across Canada during the 2012-2013 school year.

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, heighten awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and save lives and prevent injuries on our roads. For more information, visit www.madd.ca.

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