Local liquor stores receive paper bags with important message

Students remind everyone to support sober driving

Terry Tait from Liquor on McLeod, left, accepts a delivery of decorated liquor bags from RCMP Const. Barbara Roy. The bags were decorated by local students and will be delivered to liquor stores throughout Spruce Grove.

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December 16, 2011

Residents who are planning to make a stop at a local liquor store in the coming weeks may have their purchases packed in a unique piece of artwork that also shares an important message.

Through a City of Spruce Grove Safe City initiative, students from several Spruce Grove schools decorated approximately 2,000 brown paper bags with images and messages to remind everyone to support safe and sober driving. The bags are being distributed to local liquor stores and will be used to wrap up purchases throughout the holiday season.

“It’s wonderful to see this type of community collaboration,” said RCMP Const. Barbara Roy. “I’d like to thank all the schools, teachers and students, as well as all the liquor stores, who are participating in this great initiative.”

Traffic safety specialist and MADD Parkland Chapter president Dale Friedel says it’s important spread the message about the impact of impaired driving.

“According to 2010 statistics for the West Central Alberta Region, which includes Spruce Grove, 27 people were killed and 674 were injured in a total of 4,309 traffic collisions,” said Friedel, “and 19 per cent of the drivers who were killed were impaired.”

“We make a choice when we get behind the wheel and by choosing to support safe and sober driving, we can all help ensure we arrive at our destinations safely.”