The Citizen, 1996-11-27, Page 28Heavy Duty Truck Parts
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THE EMOTIONAL AFTERMATH
The damage done by impaired driving can last a lifetime.
Statistics on drinking and driving describe the size of the
problem but they fail to convey its human dimensions.
For victims of impaired driving, statistics simply mean
more pain. Such feelings are best expressed by one who
has experienced them directly, such as 17-year-old Jean,
who lost a good friend because of a drunk diver.
Bobby and I were walking home n-iday evening after the game.
Our school had won and we were really happy. I can't
remember everything that happened now, but I'll never forget
the lights of that car coming down the road. It came very fast
and weaved across the road. I yelled "Get back" at Bobby but
we moved too late. The next thing I remember was my parents.
staring down at me. My father was crying. Next the ambulance
came. I had three broken ribs and a concussion. Later, the
doctor said Bobby died instantly and didn't feel anything. That
was four years ago. My injuries healed but I still have
nightmares. I still miss Bobby. I've never had such a close
friend. Everyone liked Bobby. He had everything going for him.
But in a few short seconds, it was all taken from him - all
because of the insane actions of one drunk driver. It was a
terrible way to learn about drinking and driving and a lesson I'll
never forget. I will never drive after drinking, and I will never
ride with anyone who does.
No one intends to kill or injure another person when they
drive after drinking. But, it happens anyway - needlessly
and Inexcusably. And, no one wants to hurt themselves by
driving after drinking either. But that also happens. Paul,
now 24 years old, can tell you.
Have you ever been in jail? I have and I never want to go back.
I always thought jail was for criminals and I sure never thought
of myself as one. But impaired driving is a crime.
After the first time, I said it would never happen again. You
think I would have learned. I went to court hoping I wouldn't
see anyone I knew. I pleaded guilty and the judge gave me a
$300 fine and suspended my driver's licence for 90 days. When
I got my licence back and I started to drive again, my car
insurance tripled.
Then, only a few months later, it happened again. I stopped for
a couple of drinks with some friends after work one evening. I
thought I was OK to drive until I saw the flashing lights in my
rear view mirror. The officer said I went through a stop sign
and it started all over again. This time it was much worse. My
blood alcohol level was 170 mg% - more than twice the legal
limit. I was sentenced to 14 days in jail and my licence was
suspended for a year. When I got out of jail. I had to make
special arrangements to get to work. But I think the worst part
was facing my family and friends.
I've had lots of time to think about drinking and driving and just
what could have happened if someone else had been coming
when I went through that stop sign. I've learned my lesson.. I
hope you never have to go through what I did or, even worse,
kill somebody before you stop drinking and driving.
PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1996
IF YO U DRINK & DRIVE
You c n lose a lot more than your licence.
"I didn't
believe it
could
happen to
me."
SUBSTANCE ABUSE FACT SHEET FOR ONTARIO
• Adults charged with liquor offences: 112,981
• Impaired drivers involved in accidents: 17,995
• Alcohol-related hospital separations: 16,500
• Adults charged with drug-related offences: 15,060
• Deaths resulting from alcohol problems: 7,002
• Drug-related hospital separations: 6,100
• Deaths from traffic accidents: 407
• Juveniles charged with drug-related offences: 1,371
• Juveniles charged with liquor offences: 9,668
• Alcohol-related traffic offences: 37,381
WHAT THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO PAYS EACH YEAR AS A
RESULT OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG USE (in billions of dollars)
• Cost of health care related to alcohol and other drug use: $5.5 billion
• Cost of law enforcement related to alcohol and drugs: $1.2 billion
- Value of reduced labour and productivity: $2.3 billion
TOTAL SOCIAL & MEDICAL COST OF
SUBSTANCE ABUSE TO TAXPAYERS:
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