More drug-related impaired drivers found on the road

Cathy Dobson Erin Pollard was just a girl when her 16-year-old babysitter was killed in a car with an impaired driver. “Losing her really had an impact on me.

Cathy Dobson

Erin Pollard was just a girl when her 16-year-old babysitter was killed in a car with an impaired driver.

“Losing her really had an impact on me. I was only about nine or 10 when she died and she was a real mentor to me,” says Pollard, who grew up in Petrolia and now lives in Sarnia.

“Growing up in the county 30 years ago, drinking and driving was not uncommon,” she said.  “Now, as a society, we are much less likely to do it but it still remains a serious problem.”

Opiates and other drugs are generating a new trend, Pollard added.

Sarnia Police statistics reflect what’s happening, said Const. John Sottosanti.

Last year, by the end of September, police had laid 58 impaired driving charges: 53 for alcohol and five drug-related.

Over the same period this year, 50 impaired charges were laid: 35 for alcohol and 15 drug-related.

“The number of impaireds isn’t higher, but the growing incidence with drugs is a concern,” said Sottosanti.

Opiates are the biggest problem but meth and cannabis are also involved.

“Often we’re seeing a mixed cocktail, where it’s not alcohol or drugs, it’s both together,” he said.

MADD Sarnia/Lambton works year round to combat impaired driving and help victims, but awareness ramps up this time of year as the holidays approach.

The annual Red Ribbon Campaign kicked off Nov. 1 and continues into January.

Volunteers were out last weekend erecting 270 white crosses in Mike Weir Park in Bright’s Grove. The crosses represent the average number of Canadians killed over the holiday season, said Pollard.

“The stress of the holidays, especially this year with COVID-19, may be a reason there’s so many impaired drivers on our roads,” she said.

“The issue isn’t going away. Our white cross display is a reminder to everyone to find a taxi, take an Uber or call a friend if you’re impaired.”

MADD’s main fundraiser is voluntary tolls collected in store parking lots in November. But that’s not possible because of the pandemic, so the local chapter is holding a donation campaign at grocery stores on Saturday, Nov. 21.

“We hope people will be generous because we won’t be doing most of our usual fundraising this year,” Pollard said.

Participating stores include Sunripe Freshmarket in Sarnia, Rob Carr’s No Frills in Corunna, and Heidi’s Your Independent Grocer in Petrolia. Other interested stores can call 519-339-9962.

One annual tradition hasn’t changed, however. The chapter has recognized two local police officers who go above and beyond to fight impaired driving.

Sarnia Police Const. Andrew Veale was chosen for his proactive policing style in taking impaired drivers off the road. He dealt with 13 impaired drivers last year, and 15 so far this year.

In Lambton County, the award was given to OPP Const. Zachary Gast.