Grade 10 students at Martensville High School had a unique experience on Friday, October 13th when Kaitlyn Kwasney, the Education and Prevention Coordinator with the Saskatoon Health Region organized a full day event through the Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth (PARTY) Program. This program, which was started in Toronto in 1986, is an internationally ran licensed program that is intended to encourage youth to become engaged and educated to help them make choices in their lives that will not lead to injury and/or death.
The day kicked off at 9am with an introduction to the program, which was followed by a mock scenario in the school yard. The simulated medical situation involved an overdose by a 16-year old, and was attended by the Martensville Fire Department First Responders and MD Ambulance. Students witnessed what would take place in a scenario similar to this one, and had the opportunity to ask questions. This is a scenario that has become very real. Dean Brooman, MFD Deputy Fire Chief, explained to students that if they even think for a second that something is off, do not hesitate to call 911, stating that, they “would rather get a call and arrive to fi nd out everything is okay, or at least not as serious as it could be, than to not get called, or arrive too late.”
Students worked on a dummy with direction from ER nurse Michelle Ritchie. (Jocelyn Ottenbreit/MM)
Following the scenario, students returned to the school and were split into five groups. Each group took turns attending a presentation by professionals that discussed risk and injuries and shared some of their experiences within their profession. Professionals included an Emergency Room nurse who had a dummy the students worked on as though the dummy had been in a car crash. There was also a member of the RCMP who talked about collisions in the area and what they see in their job. A paramedic attended and discussed drugs and alcohol and the effects they have on the body. SGI attended and provided students with information about the legislature around drinking and driving and texting and driving, and brought along a drinking and driving simulator. An addictions counsellor also attended and discussed ‘stupid-lines’ with students. “We work on stupid line scenarios with the students, which gets them to think about situations that they may be putting themselves into, and if they are crossing their stupid line. We get them engaging in conversation around risky behaviours and get them thinking about what would be the worst possible outcome and if they are willing to have that happen. If they aren’t, then don’t cross that stupid line,” Kwasney explained.
Students then returned to the theatre for a presentation by Nolan Barnes. Barnes survived a car rollover he was in with his friends after a night of drinking and drugs. He is now a paraplegic due to the injuries from the rollover. Barnes, who is now 25, was in grade 12 when the accident happened, and has been forever impacted by the results of that night, not just by his injuries, but by the death of his best friend.Kwasney attended this same program when she was in grade 10 and felt the impact of it. “In the end, it’s not up to anyone to follow you around and make these choices for you. It is your choice. It is up to you to make your life the best you want it to be, but this will happen to you eventually if you keep crossing the stupid line.”
Kwasney attended this same program when she was in grade 10 and felt the impact of it. “In the end, it’s not up to anyone to follow you around and make these choices for you. It is your choice. It is up to you to make your life the best you want it to be, but this will happen to you eventually if you keep crossing the stupid line.”
Note on featured image
Members of the Martensville Fire Department and MD Ambulance were on scene at
Martensville High School as part of the P.A.R.T.Y Program, teaching students about
emergency scenarios and encouraging them to engage in conversation about various
situations.
