Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 06/06) - When John Cain offers someone a ride home, he does it with the satisfaction of knowing he may have saved a life.

Cain, a teacher at Weledeh Catholic school, is a long-time volunteer driver for the St. Patrick high school Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD) drive-home program.

John Cain, a teacher at Weledeh Catholic school, has volunteered with the St. Patrick high school Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD) program for several years. He will provide a safe limo drive home to people after they've had a few too many drinks to drive. - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL photo

This New Year's Eve, Cain was behind the wheel transporting those wanting to imbibe, but not drive from a function at Le Frolic/L'Heritage Restaurant.

"I picked up 36 people and brought them to the restaurant and I brought 44 back home," Cain said of the popularity of the program.

"And as a teacher, it's not too early to tell my students about the evils of drinking and driving," he said of the message he gives to his students through example.

Cain said he feels good about being able to help provide the service. "If I kept one person off the road that shouldn't have been on the road, then I feel I've at least done that and it's all worthwhile."

Michelle Thoms, a teacher at St. Patrick high school, said the New Year's Eve function was one of many throughout the year.

"It started at 5 p.m. and they weren't finished until 3:30 a.m.," Thoms said.

She gave accolades to Cain for his involvement in the program.

"He is an exceptional volunteer for SADD. He's been driving the limo a lot over the Christmas season.

"Our drive home program has become that popular that without people like John, it wouldn't be possible.

"And people are using the program and SADD is getting the message out there."

The Citizens on Patrol (COPS) program was also busy throughout the holiday season, said John Carter, spokesperson for the program.

On New Year's Eve, there were three patrols circling the city.

"During one incident, we found one man driving a stolen car," Carter said.

"We also spotted one extremely intoxicated individual who was a hazard to himself," he said of a man who was staggering into snowbanks and out into the street.

Another incident involved a couple arguing in the middle of Franklin Avenue.

"RCMP arrived and negotiated a settlement," Carter said.

Quiet season

Yellowknife RCMP Sgt. Mike Payne said Christmas was relatively quiet overall, except for an increase in the number of intoxicated persons.

Over New Year's, Const. Colleen Werrell of the Yellowknife RCMP said check stops conducted throughout the city resulted in 50 vehicles being stopped.

As a result, three impaired care and control tickets were issued, two impaired operation charges were laid and one summary offence traffic ticket was issued.

"We will continue the check stops until Jan. 8," Werrell said.

At the Yellowknife fire department, deputy fire chief Chucker Dewar said overall, the Christmas holiday was relatively quiet with the exception of the crash in which two snowmobilers were killed on Prelude Lake Dec. 31.

"Aside from that, the fire division responded to a number of medical calls," Dewar said. "And over New Year's, there were a few fire alarm activations from people pulling fire alarms to which we responded."