May 28, 2014
EDMONTON — North Edmonton junior high students will see first-hand the consequences of driving while under the influence of drugs at a simulated crash scene this morning.
Alberta Health Services’ Emergency Medical Services (AHS EMS) will stage a mock collision — simulating the injuries that can occur when a crash results from driving while under the influence of marijuana — in the parking lot outside École St. Cecilia Junior High School. The event is organized by AHS’ P.A.R.T.Y. (Preventing Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth) Program.
“This is an opportunity for students to see the potential cost of driving while high, and to understand that driving sober not only means driving free of alcohol but drugs as well,” says paramedic Melissa Edwards.
“Seeing the injuries caused helps make the consequences very real.”
Following the staged collision, EMS paramedics will transport the patient into the school gymnasium where a mock emergency department trauma room will be manned by physicians and nurses.
“One huge concern is a conversation going on among teens suggesting that being the designated driver just means not drinking alcohol, but that smoking pot and then driving is OK,” says P.A.R.T.Y. Program Coordinator Marcia Lee, based at the Misericordia Hospital.
The P.A.R.T.Y. Program stages multimedia, reality-education events for Grade 9 students during which police, EMS, trauma nurses and injury survivors share stories about the real consequences of traumatic injury and about smart choices that prevent injury.
“Exposure to street drugs is more commonplace among teens than most people think. When asked if they believe marijuana is legal in Canada, a surprising percentage of Grade 9 students raise their hands,” says Lee.
Drivers under the influence of marijuana are six times more likely to have a fatal crash than an unimpaired driver. Driving, especially for new drivers, requires full and undivided attention.
“We feel it is important that students experience first-hand what could happen in a similar situation,” says Joan Carr, Superintendent of Edmonton Catholic Schools. “We hope by being proactive that students will make good decisions about the importance of driving sober.”
Edwards says most teen drivers overestimate their driving abilities and underestimate the risks.
“They think, ‘It can’t happen to me,’ ” says Edwards. “If this scenario can help make the risks real for them, we’ve succeeded.”
AHS-EMS, Edmonton Fire Rescue Service and the Edmonton Police Service will all respond to the mock crash. This educational scenario is fully supported by the Edmonton Catholic School District. The crashed car is provided by Allwest Autobody.
Today’s event helps to celebrate National Paramedic Services Week, May 25 to 31. The week offers an opportunity to better understand the importance of EMS within our health care system and our communities.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
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