A new program teaming MADD Canada and Cannabis NB aims to educate teens about the risks of cannabis-impaired driving.
The Weed Out The Risk program will be delivered to provincial schools by a trained facilitator.
Funding from the Cannabis Education and Awareness Fund and MADD Canada will allow the program to be presented 50 times for students in grades nine to 12.
“Many young people think driving under the influence of cannabis is risk-free,” said MADD Canada Chief Operating Officer Dawn Regan. “Our Weed Out The Risk program challenges this and other misperceptions, and gets young people thinking about how they can protect themselves and their peers.”
MADD statistics show 41 per cent of teens are not uncomfortable getting in a car with an impaired driver.
The Weed Out The Risk program is endorsed by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Canada, Cannabis Canada, teachers, and by the students who participate in the program.
Since 2015, over 170,000 youth have been part of Weed Out The Risk presentations.
“We are proud to partner with MADD Canada on this important campaign,” said Lori Stickles, CEO of Cannabis NB. “As the only legal retailer of cannabis in New Brunswick, one of Cannabis NB’s main pillars of operation is a strong commitment to education and safety for the benefit of all New Brunswickers, including minors.”
Collisions are the number one cause of death among Canadian youth, and alcohol and/or drugs are involved in more than half of them.
MADD Canada delivers Weed Out The Risk and other programs to educate students about the risks of impaired driving, and to encourage them to never put themselves at risk by driving impaired or riding with an impaired driver.
“MADD Canada is pleased to have this valuable support from Cannabis NB. Together we are delivering a life-saving message to students about the dangers of cannabis-impaired driving, and inspiring them to make safe and responsible choices,” said Ms. Regan.
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