MADD Taking aim at sledders
MADD makes breathalyzer donation to help police patrol snowmobiles

Port Perry Star 20 Feb 04

By Chris Hall

SCUGOG - Snowmobile patrol officers were presented with a new tool in their battle against drinking and driving on area trails Thursday when they accepted a portable breathalyzer from MADD Canada officials.

Presenting an Alcotest portable roadside screening device to Durham Regional Police officials on Feb. 19 was Nancy Codlin, president of the Durham chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada. The piece of equipment, valued at more than $2,000, will help Durham Snowmobile Patrol officers and the six special constables with the Snowmobile Trail Officer Patrol (S.T.O.P.) program in their efforts to keep impaired drivers off the 1,100 kilometers of trails in North Durham.

The device, which is powered using a cigarette lighter attachment, is similar to those used by police officers on general patrol and at R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) stops.

"The Durham Region chapter of MADD is pleased to present to Durham police and S.T.O.P. officers this screening device for use on the area's snowmobile trails," said Ms. Codlin. "It will be another tool in their efforts to prevent alcohol-related incidents on the snowmobile trails."

To Ms. Codlin's knowledge, the Durham group is the only chapter across Canada to provide portable breathalyzer equipment to a police service for use on snowmobile patrols. The device was purchased using funds donated to the local chapter.

Sergeant Doug Morse, who heads up the North Durham Snowmobile Patrol Unit, which operates out of the 26 Division facilities located on Hwy. 12 in Scugog Township, offered his thanks to MADD officials. "It will be a tool greatly used on the trails to reduce impaired driving," said Sgt. Morse. "We have many tools, such as radar, to help target specific (problem) areas on snowmobile trails and this (screening device) will help make the community safer."

Inspector Jim Douglass, who oversees police coverage in North Durham, also applauded Ms. Codlin and her chapter for the donation. "This will really be a great asset to the snowmobile patrols. Hopefully we'll be able to (put it to use) this weekend;" he said.

Also adding his thanks was former Scugog mayor Doug Moffatt, who now serves as chairman of the Durham Regional Police Services Board.

"This is a good gesture and will help get the word out about not drinking and driving in your car or on snowmobile trails;" he said. "This is a really good effort by MADD Canada."