September 23, 2008

Halifax and Vancouver students first to see DOA,
the new ‘painful and sobering’ show on impaired driving
MADD Canada and GM Canada to tour multi-media production to high schools

Today, two schools on either end of the country – in Halifax and in Vancouver – premiered Dead on Arrival (DOA), MADD Canada’s new multi-media assembly show which delivers an important drug and alcohol awareness message.  Through this school year, more than 650,000 high school students across Canada will experience this bold and emotional dramatization thanks to a partnership between Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the show’s tour sponsor General Motors of Canada.

Margaret Miller, MADD Canada’s National President says, "GM Canada and MADD Canada are concerned about the unacceptably high rate of Canadian youth who are involved in impaired driving crashes. Road crashes are the number one cause of youth fatalities in Canada. One in 3 people who die on Canada’s roads due to alcohol-related crashes are under the age of 25. Our multi-media production tour is one way of getting the important message of sober driving directly in front of students and young drivers."

"DOA is a dramatization of a fatal crash and what it means for the victims, their friends and their community,” explains Mrs. Miller. "It is both painful and sobering. We believe it will prompt students to think twice about their own actions as well as looking out for the safety of their friends. 

David Paterson, Vice President, Corporate and Environmental Affairs of General Motors of Canada says, “DOA, like our past touring productions, will help with the education of the next generation of drivers about safe and sober driving habits and making the right choices. Our hope with the tour is to make an indelible impression on young Canadians – and they will not become an impaired driving statistic. We’re very pleased to be working along side of MADD Canada, which does so much to educate youth and save lives."

Mrs. Miller says, "Every year, with the continued support of GM Canada, we get the chance to show this production to more young Canadians than ever before. We look forward to another year of touring this important multi-media presentation."

MADD Canada’s 2008-2009 multi-media assembly program features a fictional narrative and the personal experiences of 3 victim families from across Canada.

To preview these new presentations go to www.madd.ca.

MADD Canada is the country’s preeminent voice for impaired driving victims.  The organization is a grassroots, volunteer driven group that is active in over 100 communities across Canada. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians support through their donations MADD Canada’s mission to stop impaired driving and to support the victims of this violent crime.

About General Motors of Canada

General Motors of Canada (GMCL) is engineering and manufacturing advanced environmental technologies ranging from Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and hybrid systems to E85 biofuel and fuel cell vehicles – more than any other auto company right here in Canada.  Headquartered in Oshawa Ontario, GMCL employs more than 15,000 people nationwide.  GM of Canada manufactures vehicles, vehicle powertrains, and markets the full range of General Motors vehicles and related services through 732 dealerships and retailers across Canada.  Vehicles sold through this network include Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Saturn, Hummer, Saab and Cadillac.   GM plays an active role in communities across the country with programs like GM Community Wheels, which offers a turnkey solution to the transportation needs of community agencies by providing them with GM vehicles; Saturn Kidspace is another program that assists communities in need of safe places for children to play.  To date, more than 300 playgrounds have been built as part of this initiative.

For further information visit www.madd.ca, or call:

Wanda Kristensen, MADD Canada’s Director of Programs
1-800-665-6233, ext. 229
                                                                                               
Diane Lehman, GM Canada’s Community Relations
(905) 644-3883