By Lisa Goudy
Jacob Laboccetta had never been arrested before, until he played the part of an impaired driver in a mock vehicle crash at Union Hospital on Monday.
“Being arrested hurts. It’s not fun,” said the 15-year-old student from Central Collegiate. “I don’t know why anyone would want to put themselves in a position to do it.”
Laboccetta was one of 40 students from the high school who either participated or watched in the Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth (PARTY) program.
“It’s all about ... educating the young people that they are not invincible and that these things can happen to them through stupid decisions,” said Ray Francis, a paramedic with the Moose Jaw and District EMS and the director of community relations.
Francis said the full day program takes place twice a year. Each time it occurs, a different high school in the city is selected to take part.
Students watched members of the Moose Jaw Police, the Moose Jaw Fire Department and the Moose Jaw and District EMS responding and removing patients from a wrecked car donated by SGI. Windows of the car were shattered and the Jaws of Life were used to pry open the doors to remove the patients.
For more information, read an upcoming edition of the Times-Herald.
