Anti-drunk driving campaign begins
After daughter killed by impaired driver, Sharon Allen tackles problem in the region
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, June 18, 2015
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
With summer fun kicking up in the Deh Cho, the problem of impaired driving is rearing its ugly head yet again.
Sharon Allen got this billboard in November and is planning to erect it on the side of the highway soon. - photo courtesy of Sharon Allen
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On May 31, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada released its 2015 report on impaired driving. Although that report does not reference the territories, it notes that despite a modest decrease in Canadian impaired driving deaths, citizens need to be vigilant of factors that contribute to drunk driving - such as alcohol availability and per-capita alcohol consumption, both of which have increased.
In the Deh Cho, RCMP recently arrested an impaired driver who had more than four times the legal limit of alcohol in their system. The most recent Fort Simpson G Division policing report notes that as of April 30, the detachment had received 20 calls this year about impaired driving. Last year, RCMP responded to 84 complaints.
Bompas schoolteacher Sharon Allen, who runs MADD in the NWT, said much of the drinking and driving in the Deh Cho is fuelled by a lack of awareness.
"I think a lot of it has to do with the years and years of acceptance of drinking and driving a vehicle. At some point, everybody's done it. And they have the attitude, 'Oh, I survived it. I think my kids would survive it.' But it just takes one time," Allen said.
"What needs to happen is a lot of awareness campaigns and education."
Allen is a community leader for MADD but says she would like to establish an actual chapter in Fort Simpson, if she could generate the volunteers and community interest.
While she has been fighting impaired driving since 2012, Allen says the problem behind drinking and driving goes much deeper than many people realize.
"It has a lot to do with our socio-economic situation, and a lot of that has to do with the lack of jobs (here)," she said.
"Addictions, people not being able to take care of their families ... it's tied here to poverty as well, and that's a huge problem."
Allen became involved with MADD after her 16-year-old daughter Keisha - who had not been drinking - was killed by a drunk driver. At the time, Allen
was in her second year of schooling in Fort Smith.
After she finished her schooling, Allen attended a candlelight vigil for MADD and found the experience a powerful one.
"Every year, it seems like impaired drivers are increasing more and more," she said.
"It only takes one time for a tragedy to happen."
It has been nearly seven years now since Allen lost her daughter. Still, the wound is fresh.
"It's not easy. It's a long journey," she said.
"All I can do is keep living."
Allen hopes to run a Strides for Change event at some point this summer, an annual walk/run to raise awareness about impaired driving.
She also has a large billboard she plans to put up on the highway, and she wants to start MADD awareness at Thomas Simpson school as well.
"We will see what happens," she said.
"I think that would be great for the kids."
