March 31, 1999
(Health and Community Services)

Impaired Driving Program takes a prevention and early intervention approach

The Regional Health and Community Service and Integrated Boards, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Community Services, announced today a $200 cost recovery fee for alcohol and other drug dependency assessments of convicted impaired drivers.

As of December 31, 1994, the Highway Traffic Act required that repeat offenders complete a mandatory alcohol and other drug assessment before a driver's license is reinstated following a period of suspension. The cost recovery program has been created in order to pay for this assessment process. All monies will stay at the community level to help support programs in each region.

The new recovery program is consistent with the cost recovery programs of seven other provinces throughout the country. Repeat offenders will receive a letter from the Registrar of Motor Vehicles outlining the repercussions of this violation according to the Highway Traffic Act. One of these requirements is the alcohol and other drug assessment.

"Continuing the direction we've taken on many other issues, our approach to impaired driving is one of prevention and early intervention. We must continue to educate people about the dangers of impaired driving and work together to make this behaviour unacceptable socially in our communities. This fee may act as a deterrent for some individuals and funding collected will enhance educational programs in efforts to lower repeat offences," said Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Health and Community Services.

The Regional Health Boards will be implementing the cost recovery fee as of April 1, 1999. Individuals should contact their local boards for further information on the alcohol and other drug dependency assessment.

Media contact: Glenn Bruce, Director of Communications, Health and Community Services, (709) 729-1377

Rick Callahan, Director of Communications, Government Services and Lands, (709) 729-3142

Health and Community Services and Integrated Boards

1999 03 31 5:25 p.m.