Every year, communities across Canada use the third week of November to highlight issues and concerns about alcohol and drug use as part of drug awareness week.
This year's theme is reducing impaired driving.
"Drinking and driving continues to be a concern in the community. We are encouraging everyone to learn a little more about this issue, and to plan for a safe ride home after drinking," said Brenda Stankiewicz, lead of the Sudbury FOCUS Community project, in a news release.
The Sudbury FOCUS community project is a group of community agencies working together to reduce the consumption of alcohol and illegal use of drugs, as well as prevent problems and injuries from their use.
The launch of drug awareness week events will occur at Marymount Academy, 165 D'Youville Avenue, Nov. 12 at 10 a.m. A proclamation for drug awareness week will be read, and speakers from Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) will speak about the effects of impaired driving on the community.
"Educating the public on impaired driving can only help reduce the numbers," said Frank Elsner, Sudbury's chief of police. "The message has been given before, but it needs to be repeated...the involvement of high school students reiterates that we are all striving towards the same goal - safer streets in a safer community."
On June 21, three Hanmer teenagers - Caitlin Jelley, Steven Philippe, and Jazmine Houle - were struck by a driver who lost control of his car, killing two of them instantly. The driver, Nicholas Piovesan, has been charged with three counts of impaired driving causing death.
Samantha Berard, a 17-year-old Lively girl, was killed in an accident in 2008 when the driver of the vehicle, Dustin Simon, lost control of the vehicle he was driving.
According to media reports and family information, the vehicle rolled and Berard, who was partially ejected, was crushed. Simon, who pled guilty to impaired driving causing death in the July 30 accident, recently had his sentencing hearing delayed.
The Sudbury FOCUS Community project, the Greater Sudbury Police Service, along with several partners, will be hosting a variety of events during Drug Awareness Week, in the hope of educating and preventing the tragedies of impaired driving.
These events include displays at the Rainbow Centre Mall and interactive activities with youth at the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth. On Nov. 17, Shelley Timms, a Toronto lawyer and former chair of Arrive Alive Drive Sober, will speak about "Alcohol Liability - Know the facts." Her talk will be held in the Grand Paris Ballroom at the Radisson Hotel, at 10 a.m.
The fourth annual FOCUS on Film, youth all night film festival will begin at midnight, Nov. 27, at the Rainbow Cinémas. Doors open at 11 p.m.
Tickets are on sale at local high schools.
For more information, contact Brenda Stankiewicz of Sudbury FOCUS Community Project at 522-9200, ext. 267.
