My name is Ashley King and in 2011, I was unknowingly poisoned by a methanol-tainted cocktail while enjoying a night out at a nightclub in Kuta, Bali, while on a backpacking trip abroad. That night changed my life forever. I nearly lost my life, and I am now blind. While I have learned to adapt to my new reality, the horror of that experience lingers with me. Methanol poisoning is a preventable tragedy, and with the proper education and awareness, countless other lives can be spared from similar fates.

Methanol, a form of alcohol used industrially as a solvent, fuel, and antifreeze, can be lethal when ingested. It is sometimes illegally added to beverages, particularly in tourist destinations where laws may not be strictly enforced. This can lead to severe poisoning, blindness, or even death among unsuspecting tourists who simply wanted to enjoy a holiday beverage.

Worldwide, hundreds of tourists fall victim to methanol poisoning annually. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), methanol poisoning is a significant issue, especially in countries lacking stringent regulations or where counterfeit alcohol circulates freely.

Education becomes a crucial tool in combating this silent killer. Implementing educational programs at airports and schools can empower travellers with the knowledge they need to discern safe drinking practices, recognize symptoms of poisoning, and seek prompt medical assistance in case of exposure.

In airports, informational campaigns and brochures can be distributed to raise awareness among travelers, ensuring they understand the risks and take precautions. In schools, educational curricula can introduce students to the broader impacts of methanol and the importance of being informed, fostering a generation that prioritizes safety above all else when traveling abroad.

This is why I’m calling on the Canadian Transport and Education Ministers to implement three life-saving measures: 

• Airport safety reforms: Introduce visible signage, printed leaflets and staffed information points in airports to educate travellers about the risks of methanol poisoning in high-risk destinations.
• Airline announcement warnings: Include information about methanol poisoning within airlines' health and safety briefings about the symptoms, treatment and safer drinking options, for example: beer or in-flight/airport duty free spirits.
• School curriculum change: Add methanol awareness to classes in schools. Young people must be taught the dangers of consuming bootleg alcohol before they begin travelling or drinking abroad.

By advocating for these educational initiatives, we can turn awareness into action, saving lives and preventing the potentially devastating consequences of methanol poisoning. Join me in urging national authorities to prioritize traveler education about methanol dangers, starting with the implementation of targeted programs in Canadian airports and Canadian schools throughout the country.

Please sign this petition to make traveler education on methanol poisoning a national priority, preventing needless tragedies and safeguarding the lives of Canadian travellers.