P.A.R.T.Y.?

30 November 2011Emily R

When most people think of a party they think of loud music, crowds, maybe some dancing, altogether a good time. Unfortunately not every party is one to be celebrated.

This term, all of the Grade 11 students have journeyed to the Cowichan District Hospital to participate in the P.A.R.T.Y. program. P.A.R.T.Y. stands for “Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth”. This may not be the definition of a party that comes to mind for most people but the program hopes to make the good times last by showing teens how to make smart decisions that will last throughout their lives. Students see some people, however, who have made bad choices or who had someone make a bad choice for them and who are now living with the consequences. And those are the ones who survived.

Emergency Room doctors and nurses, occupational therapists, paramedics and police, as well as people who have experienced a brain injury, volunteer their time to speak to students. Their hope is to provide enough information and awareness about the consequences of bad decisions and risk taking so that more young people will make the right choices – choices that prevent them from landing in the Emergency Room, hospital or worse. The talks covers everything from impaired driving, texting and driving, wearing the right gear (helmets), and substance abuse.

The Cowichan District Hospital reports that the number of young people dying or sustaining severe injuries has declined since their program began. “That fact in itself is worth continuing to attend and support this program,” says Mrs. Felix, the organizer for Brentwood’s participation the past eight years. “If we, as a school and community, can prevent even one tragedy, then we must seize the opportunity”.

Though there were some fun activities such as the impaired vision goggles and students attempting to button their shirts without using their fingers, the underlying message is a serious one. In 2008, it was estimated that 2,694 individuals were killed in motor vehicle crashes in this country. MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Canada estimates that at least 1,162 of these fatalities were impaired-related. In the same year, it was estimated that about 317,892 individuals were injured in motor vehicle crashes and MADD Canada estimates that approximately 68,538 of these individuals were injured in impaired driving crashes (roughly 190 per day).

British Columbia alone has handed out over 20,000 tickets during their texting-while-driving ban and that was established only a year ago! According to Solicitor-General Mike de Jong, since February 1st someone in BC received a citation for talking on the phone or texting while driving every 15 minutes, a truly shocking statistic.

The number of teen deaths directly attributed to impaired accidents, risk-related trauma and, frankly, poor decision-making is staggering, disturbing, and nothing short of frightening. However, these statistics can be changed through initiatives such as the P.A.R.T.Y. Program. Youth today have unprecedented access to resources to educate and further equip themselves with the means to keep safe and make better choices. Each unnecessary death is the death of an individual, a person with a family, friends, goals and dreams – a life worth saving. Avoiding poor decisions which can lead to such tragedy is certainly a reason to P.A.R.T.Y.

Emily R

Where Students Choose To Be