Pubdate: Wed, 23 May 2001 Source: Stratford Beacon Herald, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2001 The Beacon Herald Contact: http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1375 Author: Sharon Malvern STUDENTS GET DRUG MESSAGE FAST Students at Juliet Senior Public School are Racing Against Drugs in an innovative program designed to give them a positive spin on a serious problem. Targeted at students in grades 6-8, the program involves students by having them design and build model race cars which run on CO2 cartridges. Ron Sproat constructed a car from a kit, with his father's help, and decorated it with a cartoon of Homer Simpson. "Sanding is the hard part," he said, but he and his friend Mike Butcher both think "it's cool" to make the cars. About 40 students are involved at this point. Juliet is the first school in the district to adopt the program, a collaborative effort of the school and the Stratford Police service. Derek Farr, an education assistant at the school, was inspired by his interests in car racing and art to contact his friends in the drag racing community with the idea of "giving kids a voice." "Racing is a totally drug-free sport," he explained. "You can be involved as a driver, a fan, a mechanic." Participants in the program link the fun of building and racing cars with the underlying anti-drug message. "Drugs are more prevalent than most people think," said Deb Neeb, school liaison officer from the Stratford police. " Lots of drugs are available in the community and students are starting to use them at a younger age." Ms. Neeb, who is frequently at the school, is aware that the "lecture method" of informing students about drug abuse has been overused. She is hopeful about the Racing Against Drugs concept. "It's more in tune with kids - more hands-on," she said. The program is in its initial stage at Juliet. By next year an education kit will be available. Organizers would like to get other schools involved, with the possibility of elimination heats, and then a final race day, complete with displays and trophies. Juliet School has already demonstrated an interest in drag racing with a motivational assembly featuring racers Scott Wildgust and Brad Buhrow. Some students attended the national event at Grand Bend Motorplex (a sponsor) last year, and 120 kids plan to attend this year's race, June 1. On June 14, Juliet will hold its first racing competition with the student-built cars, which can go 60 feet in a second. Another program sponsor, Kevin Zimmer of Fram's K&K Race Team, has donated t-shirts to the participants. He is enthusiastic about the project, not only because it raises awareness about the sport, but also because the drivers can use the students' interest in cars to talk about safety and lifestyle issues. Principal Stu Laing is "proud of all that's been accomplished." He believes that getting the students involved in racing is preferable to the "just say no" philosophy. And as an educator, he points to the connections with the curriculum in science and health. This Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Racing Against Drugs will hold an event at sponsor Stratford Motor Products to raise funds for the program. A car wash can be had for a donation, and a snack (hot dog and a drink) is $2. A special invitation is extended to owners of racing cars and classic cars to display their vehicles and talk to participating students. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe