Yellowknife (Oct 03/03) - Grade 9 students were given a sobering lesson this week.

An accident extrication, graphic photographs, drunk goggles, first hand accounts of accidents, a coroner's perspective: all these helped bring the P.A.R.T.Y. message closer to home.

It was a revival of the Preventing Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth program in Yellowknife after a long absence.

The idea behind the program is to enable students to make informed choices about their activities and behaviours.

"It's a hard-hitting, informative program on the consequences of drinking and driving, non-compliance to seatbelts and risk-taking behaviour," said Anne-Mieke Cameron, principal at Sir John Franklin high school.

Between Wednesday and Friday, 180 students (from St. Patrick high school and Sir John) headed to the fire hall and Calvary Community Church for demonstrations, talks and discussions.

Dizzy goggles

One demonstration had the students excited.

"We get to use goggles that make you feel drunk and dizzy. You can't walk properly. It's pretty sweet," said Joe Spence.

Students wearing these fatal vision goggles were asked to walk a straight line and then try to catch a tennis ball.

While it was all in good fun, and the students enjoyed it, the message wasn't lost.

"It was scary. It feels like everything is moving below you," said Niki Yoder.

Blood and gore

Other messages had a more profound effect on the students.

Percy Kinney, the chief coroner, showed some graphic pictures of accident victims.

"I got a funny feeling in my stomach. It was gross seeing ripped open legs and cuts through the head," said Spence.

Whether this P.A.R.T.Y. will deter youths from drinking remains to be seen. For Spence and Yoder it has made them think about that first drink.

Lesson learned

Spence thinks the lesson taught during the day will likely sink into many students.

"I think they will learn. I know I wouldn't want what I saw to happen to me or any of us," said Spence.

Yoder has already seen what partying can do. Her friend was in a crash recently, and while no one was seriously hurt, she says it has made her more aware.

"I know a lot of people who party. This was a good idea and I'm glad they had the coroner show us some real life images," said Yoder.