MADD Canada and PEI Liquor Empower Youth with Sober Driving Messages

MADD Canada is launching its 2025-2026 School Program in partnership with the Prince Edward Island Liquor Control Commission (PEI Liquor) to promote sober driving among youth. On December 1, 2025, Grade 9 students at Stonepark Intermediate School in Charlottetown will participate in a special screening aimed at educating them on the dangers of impaired driving.

The program, designed for students in Grades 7 through 12, delivers impactful one-hour presentations that reach thousands of young people across Canada each year. These sessions focus on the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs. According to Dawn Regan, Chief Operating Officer of MADD Canada, “Road crashes are a leading cause of death among youth in Canada, with alcohol, cannabis and/or other drugs involved in more than half of those crashes.”

Regan emphasized the importance of understanding the risks associated with impaired driving and the role youth can play in preventing such tragedies. This year, the program will include 30 presentations, made possible through the support of PEI Liquor.

The presentations incorporate five English and four French dramatic short films that highlight the risks of impaired driving. An interactive quiz helps to reinforce the key lessons, prompting students to reflect on their choices. Each session concludes with personal testimonies from victims and survivors, including a poignant account from Alyssa Kryger, who was injured in a crash in 2018 that also claimed the lives of her father and uncle.

“I am proud to support MADD Canada and their work to change mindsets and promote zero tolerance for impaired driving,” said Hon. Jill Burridge, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for PEI Liquor Control Commission and PEI Cannabis Management Corporation. She underscored the collective responsibility to keep communities safe and highlighted the significance of engaging youth in conversations about the impacts of impaired driving.

Schools participating in the program can choose the format that suits them best—whether it be a traditional assembly, classroom session, or virtual presentation. Following the event, each school receives an Educators’ Guide and a School Kit filled with resources to continue discussions on sober driving throughout the academic year.

MADD Canada expresses gratitude to its national and provincial sponsors for their ongoing support of the School Program. For further information on sponsors and to view a clip of the program, visit maddyouth.ca/school-program/.

About MADD Canada: MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) is a charitable organization dedicated to stopping impaired driving and supporting victims of this crime. With volunteer groups in nearly 100 communities, MADD Canada aims to increase awareness of impaired driving dangers and save lives on the roads.

About PEI Liquor: The PEI Liquor Control Commission is responsible for retailing beverage alcohol in Prince Edward Island. It is committed to promoting responsible alcohol use and supporting community initiatives, reinforcing its role in enhancing customer service and education.

For inquiries, contact:
Dawn Regan, MADD Canada Chief Operating Officer, 905-330-7565, [email protected]
Janice Fogarty, Department of Finance, [email protected]