Carpenter High School SADD. (Carpenter High School /Facebook)

By Nicole Reis

SADD Teens

SADD encourages teens to plan ahead

Nov 20, 2019 | 12:03 PM

Students at Carpenter High School recognize the dangers and life changing tragedy that could come from drunk driving.

Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) spend their free time making sure their fellow students are getting the message.

Emily Lehoux, Grade 11, is part of the student initiative. She and 10 other students have been creating awareness among her fellow classmates by employing shocking tactics that make teens think twice about drinking and driving or getting into a car with someone who is impaired.

Since becoming a member of SADD, Lehoux said she has been exposed to eye-opening realities that have changed the way she perceives impaired driving.

She said last year, some students painted their faces white and took a vow of silence for the afternoon. That confused other kids though it was later revealed that painted students represented someone who had been killed from a drunk driving incident.

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Lehoux said she’s looking at implementing a vehicle that was involved in an impaired related crash and placing it on the lawn of her school as a daily reminder for students about the risks of driving while drunk.

“There are so many high school parties every weekend and it could be one of your friends hopping into a vehicle where someone had been drinking and you could never speak to them again. It’s very eye-opening,” she said. “Always plan a safe ride home and even if you’re in a situation like that, always have someone you can call.”

Lehoux said she’s fortunate to call her family if she’s in a dangerous situation and she even leans on her driving instructor who offered her and friends a lift from parties should they ever need it. She encourages every young person to find an adult they feel safe with so they can be picked up from risky situations.

Lehoux said some students may not have someone they trust but encourages kids to talk to their teachers for support.

“I don’t think a teacher would ever turn that down. I think that’s their job is to help protect students and be there for them,” she said.

She said it doesn’t matter if someone has been directly affected by impaired driving, it’s important as a community to recognize those affected by the grief of loss as a result of impaired driving.

Lehoux said she feels her world is a little less safe because people are still getting behind the wheel after a few drinks. When driving, she fears that oncoming traffic may have someone impaired as a driver.

Carpenter High School SADD team encourages students to join their group to help create awareness in the community of the possible choices when drinking alcohol.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

@nicolereis7722