Local MADD chapter remembers victims and survivors of impaired driving. (Nicole Reis / meadowlakeNOW Staff) 

By Nicole Reis

MADD MEADOW LAKE

Paramedic speaks on impact of impaired driving in community

Nov 25, 2019 | 5:00 PM

Hugs are as common as handshakes at the Meadow Lake MADD chapter.

Most members of the small group have suffered a loss as a result of impaired driving. Some have accomplished to channel their pain to send a powerful message to the community.

“Impaired driving isn’t a mistake – it’s an active decision,” Stephen Pollock, 10-year MADD member and local paramedic, said.

Pollock lost his father nearly 37 years ago to an impaired driving incident and has learned to live with his grief. He recently shared his powerful story to patients at the Mistahey Musqua Treatment Centre in Loon Lake and has been asked to return.

Pollock was 17 at the time of losing his father and makes no secret about his history.

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“When I talk about loss, it’s something everyone can relate to. I don’t have to talk about drinking and driving or distracted driving. It’s any behaviour that causes someone to lose their life. In Loon Lake or the IDTC (Impaired Driving Treatment Centre), I’m talking with people who have gotten behind the wheel who were impaired,” Pollock said. “I tell them how destructive being on the other side of that bumper is.”

Pollock said his powerful story is called The Other Side of the Bumper and was inspired to name his story after a music video created for MADD by Simple Plan. The video portrays a family torn apart by impaired driving.

“That’s part of the talk, I’m open about what it did to my family and what it did to me. It touches something in most people,” he said. “They have not got to the point where they have harmed someone as a result of their behaviour.”

Pollock says the response from his public talks has been emotional. He says some do not realize how destructive their actions may be but have come to recognize the choices they do have.

“It’s difficult but it’s almost cathartic in a way,” he said. “I’ve been asked many times how you get over grief. I tell them you don’t get over it, you just get used to it.”

Pollock added he and his group of volunteers will go where needed and said his emphasis is on preventing a tragedy.

“Plan ahead because everybody has someone that cares about them. I’ve seen the pain that a death can cause. Plan ahead so you are not in that position,” he said.

The next MADD meeting is on Dec. 10.

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nicolereis@jpbg.ca

@nicolereis7722