In an effort to raise public awareness of a serious public safety problem during the holiday season, Barton Family Funeral Service is offering free cremation services to the victims of drunk or chemically impaired drivers killed on New Year’s Eve.

The tragic death of a Vancouver, Wash. man killed in traffic on Dec. 17 points out a new challenge facing Washington residents.

He was struck by a car operated by a driver whose blood THC (marijuana) level exceeded the statutory limit of five nanograms per milliliter.

A blood alcohol level above .08 percent constitutes well-established prima facie evidence of impairment (less for commercial drivers and drivers under 21).

It will take time for the courts to sort out the arguments about what constitutes impairment as it relates to marijuana.

For now, the blood level in Washington state stands at 5 ng/ml.

However strict the penalties for drunk or impaired driving, nothing can compensate for the loss of life suffered by innocent victims and their families.

By offering free cremation to victims, Barton Family Funeral Service representatives say they want to shock the public to the realization that one person getting “high” and having a “happy party” may result in death and ruin lives of many people, including the impaired driver.

Actions have consequences.

Whether people are taking a narcotics or THC for pain control or alcohol or THC for pleasure, there are measurable risks.

Killing another human being is among those risks.

Details of the company’s offer can be found at www.bartonfuneral.com.