Pubdate: Tue, 06 May 2008
Source: Sault Star, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 The Sault Star
Contact:  http://www.saultstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1071
Author: Shirley Mills

NORTHERN STUDENTS GET DIRT ON DRUG ABUSE

Police, Bike Racer Among Those To Deliver Racing Against Drugs Message
In Wawa

Students here recently got the lowdown on the perils of  drug
abuse.

Racing Against Drugs recently came to the Michipicoten  Community
Centre, with 233 students from Grades 4 to 7  attending the two-day
sessions.

This program, designed to bring drug and alcohol  awareness to
students, was initiated in 1993 by the  Mounted Police Foundation of
Canada, which donated  $2,000 raised by selling RCMP licensed products.

Partnering with the foundation, police take the program  to anywhere
from 30 to 40 communities across the  province annually.

"The RAD is an excellent partnership of people working  together
toward educating our children of making  informed and healthy
choices," said Cpl. Ray  Valiquette, RCMP co-ordinator.

Valiquette, based in London, Ont., brings a very large  racetrack to
the event venue, operated by colour-coded  remote controls. At the
end of each session, students  can race their cars to the finish. He
warns it's noisy.

Local organizations brought their messages at 13  locations set up at
the centre dubbed "pit stops," at  which students are told of the
benefits of healthy  choices.

At one interactive "pit stop" a basketball net was set  up and
students were given special glasses, Fatal  Vision Goggles, which
simulate the view a person under  the influence of too much alcohol
would experience.

Students are then asked to shoot a few hoops.

"As my first time, what I love about RAD is that it is  very
interactive, the students are engaging in what the  pit stops have to
offer," said Kadean Ogilvie, public  health nurse with the Algoma
Public Health and event  co-ordinator.

At another stop, Shawn Greely talked about his love of  competitive
dirt bike racing and how he needs a clear  head to compete. Greely,
whose bikes and trophies were  on display, has been a rider for six
years and on the  racing circuit for three.

"Through this interaction you can see (students) are  definitely
getting the message about drug prevention,"  Olgilvie said.

Students were bused from Chapleau, White River, Pic  Mobert,
Dubreuilville and Missanabie.

"If we reach one child in helping that child to make a  right decision
then bringing RAD to communities is  worth it," Valiquette said.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin