Pubdate: Sat, 24 Feb 2007 Source: Observer, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2007, OSPREY Media Group Inc. Contact: http://www.theobserver.ca Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1676 Author: Lindsey Coad Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) WINNING THE ESSAY RACE The anti-drug message is sinking in with Tim Fisher's Grade 5 class. The Johnston Memorial students put their thoughts on paper after attending the Racing Against Drugs program last November and have won an essay writing contest for their efforts. The interactive safety fair, hosted by the RCMP and community groups, relayed prevention messages about everything from drugs, drinking and gambling to online predators. "If you take crack cocaine or overdose, you can die in a matter of minutes or hours," wrote Collin Dawson. "The funeral home had a video about a boy who tried drugs once and died. I was really surprised that the boy died after doing crack only one time." Fisher said students are taught the risks in Grade 5 because they are increasingly exposed. "They know stuff you wouldn't think they'd know," he said. "There's a lot of conflict in schools. Everyone knows substance abuse is linked to violence." The writing exercise was a chance for students to organize their thoughts, share ideas and read aloud. Taylor Lalonde was struck by the chemicals in a cigarette such as tar, rat poison, nicotine, lead, benzene, ammonia and cadmium. "These are all poisons. Now I want to stop people from doing drugs and smoking and other things that are bad because I don't like people dying." Kelsey Grant wrote, "I am glad I went to the Internet safety pit stop because I have MSN and I have a website." The students, who competed against seven schools, won T-shirts from Lambton County's health unit that read: "I am me. I want to live smoke-free." "This is pretty exciting because we're competing against lots of other schools in Lambton," Jarrett Persad said. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman