November 13, 2002 – The Chronicle, Montreal’s West Island community newspaper

“Red nose” program back

BY BARBARA LAVOIE

“One more for the road, telephone call, that is!”

Last week Operation Red Nose kicked off its public awareness campaign warning drivers of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol. A media event launched the program’s 17^th year of providing transportation services to Montrealers who decide they’ve had too much alcohol to drink, but want to get themselves and their cars home safely.

The hope that that if becomes just as customary to have the telephone number of a sober friend, relative, taxi or Operation Red Nose ready when planning your trip home from partying as it’s been to say, “Okay, one more drink for the road!

Before long, you can expect television ads with the now familiar and friendly red-nosed reindeer and this year’s star spokesperson, popular stand-up comedian, Francois Morency, radio ads on CHOM FM 97.7in English and on Energie FM 94.3 in French that will be recruiting volunteers and promoting the service and lots of posters in bars and restaurants around town.

Although the service, which picks you up wherever you are and drives you and your car home, is free, users are asked to make a financial donation. You can give cash or make out a cheque and because it’s a charity, you get a receipt for tax purposes.

For the third consecutive year, CEGEP Old Montreal is the recipient and coordinator of the all donations received. Through a college foundation, student groups will receive financial support for educational, sporting and other activities.

Teams of volunteers will be waiting by the telephone at 514-256-2510 to receive your call for assistance starting Friday, December 6 right through to December 31^st. Headquarters for Montreal is at the Olympic Stadium, but, depending on need, volunteers do stand by in various locations across the island.

If you find yourself outside Montreal, you can call 1-866-DESJARDINS (3375273467) to get the telephone number and location of the local service.

Interested in becoming a volunteer? “We need Anglophone volunteers from the West Island,” said Genevieve Gosselin, communications representative. “Application forms are available in the SAAQ offices, the caisse populaires Desjardins, local police stations and on our web site.”

“It’s a great experience. I did it in 1994 and I’m going to again,” said Eric Berry, volunteer and spokesman for Ambulance Services of Greater Montreal. “We (ambulance services) are very happy to be an official part of the program this year. And we are volunteering too! On December 20, our staff will be out there with our trucks. It’s a great chance for us to do some prevention work. We’re usually at the scene when it’s too late,” he added. Last year, drivers and staff of ambulance services transported 60 riders and collected $1,055.

Operation Red Nose was started in Quebec in 1984 by Laval university professor, Jean-Marie De Koninck. Now a national program with operations in every Canadian province, it was picked up in France, Switzerland and, this year for the first time, in Portugal.

Montreal is one of a total of 71 operations set up and ready to go in cities and towns across the province. Due to its reliance on volunteers, each city runs according to its own schedule, but December 6^th is the start-up date for all communities.

Statistically speaking, in Quebec last year, Operation Red Nose provided 75,871 rides, involved 30,341 volunteers and served 870 municipalities from its 71 operations. In 2001, a little more than 54% of all users were between the ages of 16 and 24 years; 24.4% between 35 and 44 years; 15.4% between 45 to 54 years and 6% over 55 years.

To promote responsible drinking and driving, Operation Red Nose, in partnership with Montreal police services, will be holding awareness rallies over the next month at seven colleges – Old Montreal, Ahunsic, Marie-Victorin, Andre-Laurendeau, Jean de Brebeuf, Bois-de-Boulogne and Rosemont. “Youth are the adults of tomorrow. If they find out about the service now and act responsibly they will use it for life,” noted Gosselin.

Youth can also participate and learn on-line. On the program’s web site, young people can tour the site through information on organizing parties, the effects of alcohol, drinking driving and the law, a quiz game, and even get some recipes for alcoholic drinks.

The provincial program has two long-time major sponsors, the SAAQ since 1985 and caisse populaire Desjardins insurance. This year, the Ambulance Services of Greater Montreal signed on as a major sponsor. Many others also support the cause, including: Montreal police services, Le Journal de Montreal, Rogers AT&T, Tim Hortons, Olympic Stadium, Pfizer, Bombardier, 3M and Zoom Media..

For more information, contact Operation Red Nose by telephone at 514-982-3414 or go to their web site www.operationnezrouge.com.