On April 27 the Grade 9 students of the Bow Valley High School participated in the mandatory PARTY Program.
Standing for Prevent Alcohol And Risk-Related Trauma In Youth, the program is based out of the Foothills Medical Centre and funded by the Alberta Health Services Calgary Zone.
It targets youth because they are at the highest risk. According to the program’s website, of all age groups, youth 15 to 19 have the highest percentage of injury deaths.
Students hear from a variety of presenters about the dangers of making bad decisions. The presentation talks about drinking and driving, driving without a seatbelt, not using the proper protective gear, distracted driving, and much more.
Students are shown photos and videos depicting the types of injuries that can be sustained, the types of charges that can be laid, who is affected by a bad decision, and survivors’ accounts.
Presenters for the program include registered nurses, RCMP officers, rehabilitation workers, and survivors.
The program is normally offered directly in the hospital where students can see first-hand the aftermath of accidents caused by bad decisions. Presenters will also visit schools to give the presentation to students who can’t attend in-person.
The program website also offers a Contract for Life that can be made between an adolescent and parent or guardian. The contract states the youth promises to call the adult if they are in need of advice or a ride somewhere.
According to the program’s website, every week in Canada 14 young people (between the ages of 15 to 24) die from traumatic injuries, which is nearly 800 every year. Alberta seems to be a hotspot in general as every five minutes a resident of the Calgary area is admitted to an emergency department for an injury related concern.
