Each day, about four Canadians are killed and roughly 187 people are injured as a result of alcohol or drug-related motor vehicle incidents. Each year, nearly 69,000 Canadians are impacted by impaired driving.
For Peggy Meigs, Sudbury’s community leader with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), those numbers are far too high. The Copper Cliff native is working to launch a branch of the national organization in the City of Greater Sudbury.
“I think after the last couple years, it’s been tough with all the people who have decided to drink and drive,” she said. “I think creating a chapter here would benefit the community, make it safer, make people more aware of the dangers of drinking and driving, so that we can prevent the same tragedies that have happened in the past.”
For Meigs and her family, the message hits close to home.
Forty-two years ago, her uncle was struck and killed by a drunk driver while walking down the side of the road in Blezard Valley. He was 15 years old.
“I thought creating change would benefit other families so they wouldn’t have to go through the same thing,” Meigs said.
While there are other organizations in the city devoted to stopping impaired driving, Meigs said MADD differs in its approach.
“We are the only organization that deals with victim services. We provide counselling, treatments and support whenever they need help.”
In fact, about 200 Canadians call MADD’s Victim Services Lines each month for emotional, physical and legal support.
In order to get the Sudbury branch off the ground, Meigs said volunteer support is vital.
“Then I can actually start doing some fundraising, and getting some programs up and running,” she explained.
Among the fundraising and awareness events Meigs hopes to host in the city in the upcoming year is Strides for Change, MADD’s signature five-kilometre walk/run, which is held across the country each year.
Those interested in volunteering can contact Meigs by e-mail at [email protected].
For more information about MADD, visit www.madd.ca.
