P.A.R.T.Y. program teaches Grade 9 students decisions have consequences

There are real consequences to making decisions.

That is the message Barrhead Cares hoped students took away from the annual P.A.R.T.Y. program presentation.

On Monday, May 16, more than 100 Grade 9 students from Barrhead Composite High School (BCHS), Neerlandia Christian Public School and Swan Hills took part in a day-long, conference, in an effort to prevent young people from being injured or killed needless in automobile or other types of accidents.

Barrhead Cares is a coalition of community members which banded together in 2003, initially as the Barrhead and District Drug Coalition, in an effort to combat the problems associated with effects of alcohol and drug use in the community. In 2012 the group changed its name to Barrhead Cares to reflect its growing mandate.

Besides continuing its efforts against the harmful impact of drugs and alcohol, the group expanded their efforts to a bully initiative, abuse and anything that deals with the health and safety of people in the Barrhead area.

Terri Flemmer, a Barrhead Cares member, said as part of this overall mandate the group also is a sponsor of the P.A.R.T.Y program.

P.A.R.T.Y. stands for Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trama in Youth.

An emergency room nurse at Toronto’s Sunnybrook hospital started the program in 1986, after she saw countless youth in accidents that could have easily been avoided. “Our purpose is to give relevant information to youth, in hopes they will be able to recognize potential injury producing situations,” Flemmer said, adding that all the seminars and presentations students attended throughout the day emphasized five key points. “Buckle up, wear the gear, look first, get trained and of course, drive sober.”

The day started with a presentation by David McKenzie from the Alberta Office of Traffic Safety, discussing the importance of making good decisions while driving. He also talked about the limitations of the Graduated Drivers Licensing Program.

“We are not trying to scare you so that you can’t live your life. We want you to live life and quite frankly ladies and gentlemen, it’s going to be an amazing experience for you. All we are trying to do here is make sure you are safe while you are doing it,” McKenzie said. “All we are trying to do here today is arm you with the information you need to make good decisions.”

After the RCMP traffic seminar, the students broke into smaller groups to take in individual seminars on everything from sexual health, sexual assault and the issue of consent, drug addictions to a presentation from an Emergency Medical Services ambulance attendant.

The day ended with an emotional presentation from Dean Krawec, a double amputee, who lost the majority of his right arm, half his pelvis and his entire left leg in a work place accident when he was 23 years old.