The High River Fire Department, RCMP, EMS, STARS, and Alberta Health Services teamed up with Fortis Alberta today to teach students at Highwood High School about alcohol and risk related trauma with the Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y.) Program.

Operational Supervisor with EMS and AHS Stu Bridle says they want to get the message out about the consequences of potentially dangerous situations.

"We're trying to get the message to Grade 9 students today that ultimately as they start to do things like drive, go to parties, do some things that are a little riskier as they grow up which we all do as teenagers, that there's consequences potentially to their actions."

Bridle says there are a number of ways they plan to get the message out to youth.

"We do that with these mock accident scenes, we're going to have speakers from MADD Canada, a very important patient from STARS is going to have a chat today, and I believe also somebody from Rehabilitation Services to just give their stories on what happens after an incident like this."

He says it was fantastic seeing Fortis put their weight behind this event as a part of their community outreach program and says the goal is to prevent these students from ever going though alcohol or risk-related trauma.

"Whether it be an accident caused by an alcohol-related incident or texting and driving, which is a big thing right now. If we can prevent one kid from ever having to go through this and their family and the impacts that it has, then we're doing our job today."

Bridle says they are using mock accident scenes and guest speakers from MADD, STARS, and Victim Services to let youth know what happens after an incident.