OXNARD, CA - As part of a new effort to support “good choices” and prevent impaired driving, the Ventura County Behavioral Health Department aims to reduce DUIs due to marijuana, prescription and over-the-counter drugs using a $162,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).

The grant was developed using local data and calls for collaboration with other Ventura County agencies and the State of California to develop a countywide educational media campaign to increase public understanding of drugged driving and its consequences; convene an interagency workgroup to share prevention strategies; and conduct drugged driving prevention presentations to a range of organizations, including local colleges.

“This marks a great extension of our ongoing prevention efforts,” said Patrick Zarate, Division Manager for Ventura County’s Alcohol and Drug Programs. “Driving under the influence of any substance—whether it’s alcohol, pot or prescription drugs—is a significant personal and public safety risk, and receiving this funding will allow us to further educate the public about these dangers.””

The Ventura County Alcohol and Drug Programs and local partners will leverage this grant award to counter attitudes about drug-impaired impaired driving and emphasize the very real risks. Planning has begun for a regional Drugged Driving Prevention Conference in 2015, to counter the apparent rise in the number of local DUI arrestees who say they used marijuana or another drug on the day of their arrest.

“It’s a sad truth: many people don’t realize that having a doctor’s note to use a drug, doesn’t mean you can safely drive after using,” said Dan Hicks, Prevention Services Manager, “We aim to change local perceptions of risk—and let people know that they’re still looking at a criminal record and thousands of dollars in costs if convicted—not to mention the tragic crashes and other consequences that can result.”

In 2011, there were 23 fatal collisions involving alcohol and/or other drugs in Ventura County and the County was rated 48 out of 58 counties by the OTS for victims killed and/or injured in collisions involving alcohol. “That number is unacceptable, with or without the other substances of abuse, and this grant extends our efforts to save lives and protect safety,” said Zarate.

Impaired driving prevention countermeasures are needed now more than ever. The goal is clear. As OTS Director Rhonda Craft said, “Toward zero deaths, every one counts.”

Funding for the grant is from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For more information go to: www.venturacountylimits.org