The Lucknow Sentinel, 1985-08-28, Page 3Luckuow Sentinel, Wednesday, August c8, 1985—Page 3
"The first step is awareness"
By Stephanie Levesque
Editor's Note: This is . the third and final
article on alcohol.
Take an average day in Ontario. Two
people die in alcohol related motor vehicle
accidents.
' In 1983, there were 508 fatal accidents
involving drinking or. impaired driving,
ministryof transportation and communica-
tions most recent statistics state.
Another statistic -in 1983' there were 619
drivers killed in motor vehicle accidents. of
that, 51 per cent of 316 drivers had been
drinking or were impaired.
• In 1982, over 42,0(10 drivers in Ontario
alone were charged with impaired driving.
Nameless, faceless statistics; but what
can be dome to make sure you don't become
a statistic?
"The first step is awareness then there
are people clamoring for things to: be
done," says Dr, Evelyn Vingilis of the
Addiction Research Foundation of Ontario.
Some groups have made attempts to
make people aware of the probl ms of
excessive drinking - particularly drinking
and driving.
The province, has been running an
extensive advertising campaign to warn of
the hazards - the big one being death - of
drinking and driving..
There -are the radio commercials where
people talk about the loss of a loved one..
These are' aired close to long weekends.
There's the one that warns against driving
Contest may
' not be held
There is a chance • that the .Lucknow
Fair Queen competition will not be held
this year because only two applications
of 25 sent out by the fair's board have
been completedand returned. .'
Ross Errington, secretary -treasurer
of the board, said that onlytwo applica-
tions have been returned to the . fair
board and this is in spite of a deadline
extension. The original deadline was
August 15.
• . He said businessmen and organiza-
tions, such as the Legion, the Lions Club
and, the Kinsmen have been asked to
sponsor contestants for the competition.
He knows of a couple other applications
which may be returned. shortly, .but •
although the Canadian National Exhibi-
tion's minimum 'requirement of three
' contestants would be met, there are still
too few for the type of contest usually
held at the fair.
",The contest has never not been held
before in the several years it's been
going;" said Errington. He said Sept-
ember 6 should be considered the new
deadline for applications, giving the
organizers enough time to purchase
gifts and prizes.
Adult Book .Club
The Lucknov' Branch of the Bruce
County, Public library is preparing for it's
Fall Adult Book Club.. The group meets at
the library the 'fourth W ednesday of each
month.
Wednesday, September 25th at 7.30
p.m. is the kick off for this season. The
book being discussed is "The Marriage
Bed" by'C. Bereford-Howe. Copies of this
are available at the library, so why not go
in and pick one up, read it, and join in the
discussion. Coffee and cookies will/ be
Served.'
Ontario Library Week is September 23rd
- 30th. Your presence and participation in.
this activity will help us celebrate this week
that has been set aside for the public to
become aware of the services provided by
•
home from the cottage with several drinks
under your belt.
An effective television commercial
shows the remorse of a drunk driver who.
has just' killed a young child.
Admittedly there is no hard data to, prove
these commercials work says Dr. Vingilis.' .
However, she does know the' results of
other research.
There are three different approaches for
those drinking ' and those drinking and
driving. The first is education, the next isa.
legal and the third is rehabilitation.
"The advertising itself' is not successful
in changing behaviour," she says about •
the government ad program.
"However it does make people more
aware and receptive and that's . an
important component to other counter
measures," she says. .
Those other counter measures involve
increased enforcement, good laws and a
good rehabilitation program.
Studies haveshown that Ontario has the
lowest rate of fatal motor vehicle accidents
at Christmas time as compared to other\
provinces. However, spot checks in Ontario
are also prevalent 'at Christmas time.
Now, the summer months are The worst
time for alcohol-related motor vehicle
accidents. The cumulative effect of adver-
using, education, tougher laws and a good
rehabilitation might show in 10 years time.
Based in Toronto, she comments on a.
phenomenon "that she noticed recently at
the drive-in theatre. Noting it had been 20
years since she had bf ) the drive-in,
she is amazed at all the ,inking going on
around her. • •
"What struck me most was the driving
after the drinking."
There were about 200 cars at the
drive-in. About 80 per cent were drinking
and for the sake Of argument, about 20 per
cent of the drivers could be impaired.
"That's 40 cars with drunk drivers on
the highway," she says.
When asked about gravel runs, she says
she hasheard of them. A gravel run occurs
when a group of people take booze- in the.
car and drive up and down the country
roads
Besides heir), hi this area, it's
also a popular Mrni of entertainment in the
western provinces.
"It's frightening," she says.
3ANNER INNS
1983 MALIBU, 4 door, with air
1981 RENAULT stationwagon,
fully equipped
1981 PONTIA:C PARISIENNE, 2
door, 68,000 km.
1981 AMC CONCORD D.L., 2 dr..,
75,000 'km'.
1981 CHEV SUBURBAN, 46,000
km. •
1980 OLDS CUTLASS Supreme
Brougham, 4 dr.
1980 OLDS CUTLASS Supreme,
2 dr.
1980 BUICK REGAL, 2 dr. "
1980 OLDS CUTLASS, 4 door with
air, 51;000 km.
1980 CHEV 1/2 ton
1979 OLDS CUTLASS Cruiser;
stationwagon.
M'SN
PNONES3=4342
Fall Colours ,
Fall Kittens!'
When the leaves begin to turn to glorious• autumn hues, KITTEN
KNITS follow suit with a lovely range of attractive shades, designed
to, enhance the beauty of the. season. KITTEN designers keep -in
constant touch with the latest fashion colours, keeping you looking
your .very best as the world' goes through its annual change. With
KITTEN Knits in your wardrobe, you're always in season.
•
•
111111111111101111,.
STYLE 454-455
Located Next to
Luclmow' Post Office
Luuekriow
COM`F, IN AND SEE WHAT'S AIL NEW FOR 1985-86 AT
torte
Ladies Wear
0
528-3533