The students were called on to brainstorm new and innovative ways to fight drinking and driving and other risky behaviour among their peers. The conference brought together teens who have shown commitment to making a difference in their schools and communities. The students were urged to bring back ideas for programs to be implemented in their own schools, including formation of SADD chapters Students Against Drinking Drivers. According to the study, males in this area can expect to live 77 years, while women have a life expectancy at birth of 82.8 years. Both are higher than the provincial rate.
Information indicates expectancy rates are lower for people of aboriginal descent.
And contrary to a common belief that Oliver has lost health services, the report states that over the past five years, the proportion of Southern Okanagan residents treated at SOGH has increased. Pregnancy rates for the South Okanagan were 24.7 per 1,000 teenaged girls. In addition, the rate for women appears to be declining but the rate for men has increased since 1996. Hepatitis C rates have increased in four of the past five years. In 1998 there were 270 cases among Okanagan Similkameen residents, and while the rate is lower than for the rest of the province, the illness has a significant impact on health care needs and expenditures.