By Spencer Sterritt

Local MADD taking strides towards better youth education

Aug 10, 2016 | 12:22 PM

Thanks to an upcoming fundraiser, more alcohol awareness programs will hopefully be available in local schools.

On Aug. 20 the local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and supporters plan to walk along the Rotary Trail in the Stride-for-Change walk. It will be the first time the national program took place in Prince Albert.

Local MADD president Trina Cockle said the money from the fundraiser will go towards an alcohol awareness program in P.A. high schools. She said currently PACI is the only school in the area with the programming.

“I know it’s had tremendous success with schools it does get into, and it’s important to reach the high schools kids, especially the ones who are getting their licenses,” Cockle said.

The program, which is still being finalized for the 2016-17 school year, features a video presentation to students about the immediate impacts of drinking and driving. It costs $1,000 per school, which Cockle said might be the reason why schools haven’t participated so far.

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“We’re hoping if we can pay for it, (schools) will be more eager to participate,” she said.

MADD Prince Albert is also working to get a second awareness program into the curriculum.

The ‘Brain Power’ program is geared towards younger students and focuses on what to say if offered a ride by someone who is intoxicated.

“It talks to the kids on their level about what to say if (someone) wants to give them a ride after they’ve had a couple beers,” Cockle said. “Kids that young don’t think they have an option a lot of the time.”

Cockle said everyone in the community needs to do everything they can to combat alcoholism.

According to statistics pulled from the city’s alcohol strategy, a person from P.A. spends an average of $1,250 on alcohol each year which exceeds the provincial average by more than $500.

“We’re trying to find every little way and every little avenue that we can to help and part of that is youth and teenagers getting that education before they make a wrong choice somewhere,” Cockle said.

MADD Prince Albert estimated 50 people would take part in the Stride-For-Change walk. Cockle said the event will still happen whether they hit their target or not.

“Even if there’s only 10 people coming…those are 10 people and their families that we’ve reached that maybe we wouldn’t have. It’s important to get out into the community any time we can,” she said.

Information and registration about the Stride-For-Change event can be found online.

ssterritt@panow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit