Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has issued its annual call for drivers to "tie one on” over the next two months by tying a MADD red ribbon to their keys as a visual reminder of their vow not to drink and drive.

In Whitehorse, the MADD chapter launched its campaign at the Canada Games Centre this morning.

On hand were local dignitaries, from Commissioner Geraldine Van Bibber to the RCMP "M” Division's commanding officer, Supt. Peter Clark, tying the red ribbon on their keys.

"We've heard it all,” Van Bibber said during the news conference as she cited all the cautions to use a designated driver, a cab or to simply not drink and drive.

"We've heard all the excuses,” she continued, as she launched into excuses like having never been stopped by police before, using a back road and many others.

"We've heard all the sorrow and the pain,” she said, noting the grief that deaths and injuries from drunk driving create for the families and friends of victims.

Van Bibber then praised the red ribbon campaign as a signal of the work all citizens must do to eradicate drinking and driving.

Statistics from police road checks show there's still a need for many of the efforts underway.

Clark said it's important to do everything possible to eradicate what's a systemic problem in society.

"The police cannot do that alone,” he said, later detailing just how many complaints of drunk drivers the RCMP receive.

In 2009, there were 529 reports to police, with figures being on course to be the same or higher in 2010, at 347.

Jim Kenyon, the minister responsible for the Yukon Liquor Corp., and Mayor Bev Buckway also cited the importance of MADD's work in both the red ribbon campaign and other initiatives like the SIDNE vehicle, which demonstrates what it's like to drive under the influence.

A big part of the liquor corporation's mandate is promoting responsible behaviour, Kenyon said.

That means knowing when to draw the line and not drive any vehicle, whether that's a car, truck, ATV, snow machine or even a bicycle, he said as he voiced his support for MADD's campaign.

"It's about taking personal responsibility,” Buckway said, as she committed to having red ribbons tied to city vehicles.

The ribbons will be available at all territorial liquor stores and at its warehouse on Quartz Road, with the campaign running until the first week in January.

Speaking to reporters after the press conference, Alvin Pederson, MADD's Whitehorse president, said he believes the annual campaign is effective, with the younger generation appearing to "really get the message.”

There's been a number of cases where he's heard of young people taking on the role of designated driver for family members coming home from a party, he said as he praised the RCMP for its initiative to provide "goodie bags” to designated drivers at check stops this season.

During the campaign, he said, MADD may have its SIDNE cart out during Alcohol Awareness Week, though that still has to be determined.

He also used the opportunity to note MADD's need for local volunteers to be part of the board or a variety of initiatives such as SIDNE, court monitoring or others.

If someone has a couple of hours each month or a day or two now and then to visit communities with MADD, Pederson said, it would help the organization continue its efforts.

"It's so much fun,” he said when asked his own reasons for volunteering.

The reward comes when he learns young people make the choice not to drink and drive, he said.