National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims: Facts from the Canadian
Centre on Substance Abuse

OTTAWA, Nov. 17 /CNW/ - The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA)—in recognition of this special day of remembrance for the thousands of Canadians who die each year on our roads—would like to remind people that alcohol and drugs do not mix with driving.

Consider this:

• More than 20 per cent of young drivers aged 16-18 reported driving after using cannabis. (CADUMS, 2009)
• It is estimated that drivers make 15.6 million trips per year after using cannabis. (CADUMS, 2009)
• Despite the reduction in overall drinking and driving over the past 20 years, 8.1 per cent of nighttime drivers surveyed had been drinking— and the number of drivers with elevated blood-alcohol levels (over 80 mg per 100 mL of blood) is higher than ever. (CCSA B.C. Roadside Survey, 2008)
• Driving after drug use—whether it is prescription medication or illegal drugs—is now at par with drinking and driving (10.4 per cent for drugs and 8.1 per cent for alcohol). (CCSA B.C. Roadside Survey, 2008)
• Drugs were found in as many as one in three driver deaths in Canada from 2000-2006. (Beasley & Beirness, paper presented at the Canadian Multidisciplinary Road Safety Conference, Saskatoon, June 2009)

"The message here: don't drive after using drugs and alcohol," says CCSA's CEO Michel Perron.

About CCSA:
With a legislated mandate to reduce alcohol- and other drug-related harms, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse provides leadership on national priorities, fosters knowledge-translation within the field, and creates sustainable partnerships that maximize collective efforts. CCSA receives funding support from Health Canada.

For further information:

Donna Lindell
Playbook Communications
416-690-5777 ext. 166
[email protected]