It’s no secret that a person’s first experience with alcohol and/or drugs typically occurs in their teenage years. And while there have been numerous programs over the last 50 years that educate youth on the risks of alcohol use, including the warnings about drinking and driving, programs that address the similar risks of marijuana use are somewhat outdated.
For more than three decades, the VPD have actively been involved in youth outreach and education pertaining to alcohol and substance use. And today, thanks to funding from the Vancouver Police Foundation, the VPD’s Impaired Driving Enforcement Team has been able to expand their reach and impact of such educational workshops with the addition of 12 pairs of Fatal Vision Goggles.
These goggles, when worn by program participants, are a safe way to learn the vital lesson that alcohol and marijuana use dramatically impairs a person’s vision. This reduction in sight significantly impacts balance, reaction time, and judgment.
They are meant to simulate the effects of drugs and alcohol on your brain and body and how driving a vehicle, making split-second decisions, and reacting to hazardous situations are much more difficult under the influence of alcohol or marijuana. Participants wearing the goggles have difficulty walking and are able to quickly understand the challenges with operating a motor vehicle under these conditions. It is a startling, memorable way to send the message in a safe environment.
“We believe that expanding and enhancing our VPD programs to educate and create awareness for youth about the risks of substance use is important for all of us,” explains Staff Sergeant Damian Searwar, VPD Traffic Section.
Engaging and interactive presentations are provided to Vancouver youth via other VPF-funded initiatives such as VPD Cadets, Indigenous Cadets, and Newkids, and also in partnership with VPD Student Liaison Officers, VPD’s Community Road & Education Safety Team, and Vancouver high schools, particularly those with a high-risk student population. So far, more than 150 Vancouver youth have experienced the specialized lessons that come along with the new Fatal Vision Goggles.
“Interactive workshops like this, where youth are able to learn in a fun, safe and engaging environment, with the ability to connect with police officers, increases their ability to make positive decisions that may impact their lives and the overall safety of the public,” adds Staff Sergeant Searwar.
The addition of the Fatal Vision Goggles to VPD’s Impaired Driving Enforcement Team significantly enhances an important public safety program that promotes safety. The use of the goggles during presentations equates to a more impactful and interactive experience for young people around substance use, how it effects your brain and your body and importantly decision making. By educating youth about the effects that alcohol and marijuana have on the human body, it is hoped that alternative and safer choices are made for all those involved.
The Vancouver Police Foundation supports programs and initiatives that fall within three streams: community outreach and engagement (including programs for women, youth and seniors); public and personal safety; and specialized equipment and technology. You can help make Vancouver safer for all by donating to the Vancouver Police Foundation.
