Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon to Members of the Legislative Assembly. Last week, I was at St. Patrick's High School to present an award to a volunteer group; Students Against Drinking and Driving. They are part of a national organization of Canadian youth dedicated to solving their own problems. The students at St. Patrick's High School formed their chapter of Students Against Drinking and Driving in November 1994. The group is not so much opposed to drinking as they believe that people can enjoy themselves at parties and social gatherings without having to drink. They care about their friends and want to protect them from dangerous situations, especially where vehicles are involved. They get their message out to students through school assemblies, red ribbon campaigns, dry graduations and controlled parties.

They were recognized for their achievements earlier this year when they received an award at the national conference of Canadian Youth Against Impaired Driving in Regina. I want to commend their work and thank them for their helpful participation in the strategy to reduce impaired driving, with the Department of Transportation. With their cooperation, a chapter of Students Against Drinking and Driving has been formed at Sir John Franklin High School in Yellowknife. I think Students Against Drinking and Driving is a positive example of students giving of their time and energy for the betterment of their communities. I would like to see more students at other high schools across the Northwest Territories get involved in preventing the needless deaths and injuries that so often result from drinking and driving. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause