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Two approaches to a shared problem

Canada and Ireland share one common problem. Drunk drivers. There are just too many of them. They cause road accidents. Worse, they cause injuries. Worse still, many of those they injure are disabled or incapacitated for life. Worst of all, they kill people.

Sometimes they kill themselves. Often they kill other people.

The hurt they cause to their own loved ones and, even sadder, the hurt they cause to the loved ones of the people they kill, cannot be measured by mere statistics. Hurt endures, in the heart, in the memory. Time may deaden it; each anniversary recalls it.

In Canada, MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, is a volunteer organization dedicated to eradicating the problem. Its mission is summed up in its Statement of Beliefs:

That our primary reason for existence is to eliminate the killing and maiming caused by impaired driving.

Equally vital to MADD Canada's existence is supporting victims of this violent crime.

That MADD Canada is a grassroots organization that draws its strength, energy, and leadership from its volunteers.

That active participation in MADD Canada chapter activities is productive for the community and encourages healing for many victims of impaired driving.

An aggressive legislative and public policy advocacy program is a must to achieve MADD Canada's mission.

That a National Victims' Bill of Rights must be created in order to ensure fair and respectful treatment of all victims of crime.

That a balanced program of public awareness, education, legislation, and aggressive enforcement by police, crown attorneys, and the courts is essential to eliminating impaired driving.

That while an individual's decision to consume alcohol is a private matter, driving after consuming alcohol is a public matter.

That impaired drivers and others who directly contribute to the crime of impaired driving must be held accountable for their behaviour.

That proactive rehabilitation of impaired drivers is essential.

That driving is a privilege, not a right.

That impaired driving crashes are not accidents.

Turning to the problem in Ireland, there has been the re-emergence of a national campaign against drunkenness that was one of the greatest social advances made in any country in the past 150 years, this time targeting drunk drivers.

The total abstinence campaign launched by Fr. Theobold Matthew in the 19th century is being revitalized to meet the needs of a twenty-first century society.

At a time when alcohol was the resort of multitudes of the downtrodden, and a vice of the landed gentry, one Capuchin priest set out on a temperance mission that eventually succeeded in persuading almost half the population to take a pledge to abstain totally from consuming alcohol. His campaign eventually spread to the England, Scotland, and the United States. In Ireland three to four million people took the pledge.

There were no automobiles then.

A new abstinence pledge campaign has been launched by Irish Capuchins directly appealing to drivers. It is simple.

It asks supporters to try to persuade as many people as possible to sign up to a new pledge which reads:

"Recognising the suffering of people whose lives have been shattered by road accidents, I hereby make a solemn commitment to act responsibly on the roads. I will never drink and drive, so help me God!"

Signatories are asked to return their forms to Fr. Leonard Coughlan, Capuchin Friary, Dublin 7.

Mothers against Drunk Driving may be accessed at http://www.madd.ca/.

A shared problem. Two approaches. May they both succeed.

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