Mr. Speaker, this afternoon, I would like to announce to the House that I have proclaimed today, Tuesday, October 26, 2004, as National Students Against Impaired Driving Day.

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This will be the sixth annual National Students Against Impaired Driving Day in which student organizations at more than 400 schools from every province and territory will participate. This national day of action aims to raise awareness of, and to prevent, impaired driving. In making this proclamation, the Government of the Northwest Territories conveys its support for community-minded youth groups that want to draw attention to the needless tragedies caused by impaired driving.

On Wednesday, October 6, 2004, the Great Hall of this Legislative Assembly witnessed the kickoff of the Department of Transportation’s Strategy to Reduce Impaired Driving initiative, STRID. It should be noted that Yellowknife’s St. Patrick High School Students Against Drinking and Driving, SADD, under the leadership of teacher/liaison Ms. Michelle Thoms, contributed to the legislative changes that will come into force December 1, 2004.

I would like to especially thank these students in addition to all the students in the NWT. Through their participation in SADD chapters, young adults of the North spread the important message to make the right choice not to drink and drive. I am encouraged by the longevity of the St. Patrick High School SADD chapter which will be celebrating the 10th anniversary in November during National Addictions Awareness Week. I would like to encourage all high schools in the Northwest Territories to be part of the SADD initiative.

Mr. Speaker, Tuesday, October 26, 2004, is a very important day. Today I would like to take the opportunity to ask every resident of the Northwest Territories to stand behind the commitment of the SADD students and their promise to educate their peers about this very important issue. These students will persuade drivers of every age

that drinking and driving is a bad idea. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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