Driver charged in deaths -  Four killed; Mounties allege woman impaired  -Edmonton Journal,  June 27, 1997   Crash victim remembered as woman full of vitality and promise  -Edmonton Journal,  Sept. 27, 1997     Tragedy leaves legacy of hurt, sorrow, pain  -Edmonton Sun,  Oct. 2, 1997   Drunk driver jailed  for killing couple -Edmonton Journal,  Oct. 3, 1997    Crash kills champion cheerleader -Edmonton Sun,  Oct. 3, 1997      20-time drunk driver  handed 2 years -Edmonton Sun,  Oct. 4, 1997    ‘PLEASE KILL ME’ Mother begged cop for death after realizing she’d killed her  own daughter -Edmonton Sun,  Nov. 16, 1997

From this small sampling of headlines it is clear that almost every day you can read the paper and find a story about an impaired driving related tragedy.  Despite 15 years of prevention efforts, impaired driving remains the No. 1 criminal cause of death in Canada. And even more disturbing is that the Traffic Injury Research Foundation in Ottawa says that although many countries reported a decline in impaired driving in the 1980’s, several countries, including Canada, are reporting an increase in the 1990’s.  PAID/REID were formed in 1982. Our mandate is to prevent the incidence of impaired driving and its tragic consequences for victims, survivors and the offenders themselves, through education, awareness, enforcement and legal changes.  Over the years, PAID/REID has worked with other coalitions and committees to develop a plan of action to deal with impaired driving; The Impaired Driving Countermeasures Committee, the Motor Vehicle Trauma Committee, the Hard-Core Impaired Driver Committee, and the Alberta Traffic Safety Board’s Traffic Safety Initiatives (“Think and Drive”) among others.  PAID/REID has also developed and implemented or assisted in the development of a number of programs and services. A few highlights are:  Our Speakers Bureau presents to schools and community groups.  Work closely with Students Against Drinking & Driving (SADD) chapters throughout Alberta and provide financial assistance to students attending annual SADD conferences.  In 1995, Operation Lookout was launched with the assistance of the Edmonton Police Service.  The Len Sager Memorial Award was established to assist two grade 12 students with their post-secondary education expenses.  A research endowment was established at the University of Alberta.  PAID purchased in-vehicle video equipment for several police services.  PAID creates and publishes educational material, videos, Designated Driver pins, and activity books for use by school and the public.  Finally, PAID has been instrumental in lobbying all levels of government to bring about needed legal changes and police enforcement policies:  Checkstops during all summer long-weekends.  Centre for treatment of chronic impaired driving offenders (Alsike Correctional Camp).  Education program for offenders (‘Planning Ahead’ and ‘Impact’).  Provincial driving suspensions increased.  We assist and advocate for survivors and families involved in impaired driving crashes.  PAID is also currently actively pursuing administrative licence suspensions for persons charged with impaired driving, 24-hour suspension tracking and follow-up, and a province-wide co-ordinated  program encompassing a renewed and revitalized Checkstop, Operation Lookout and Designated Driver Program.