Pubdate: Wed, 01 Oct 2008 Source: Leamington Post (CN ON) Copyright: 2008 Leamington Post Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/6w2mIs9R Website: http://www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3990 Author: Pat Bailey THREE HIGH SCHOOLS COMBINE IN FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS Week-Long Effort For Students And Parents In an unprecedented show of solidarity in the battle against drugs in and around schools, three local high schools are joining forces with the Leamington Police and the Windsor Essex County Health Unit to improve drug awareness in the community. This special committee, which includes Leamington District Secondary School principal Bill Toews, Cardinal Carter principal Leo Clark, Kingsville principal Norm Ross and members of 'Educate, Empower and Eliminate' (a local parents' group) have been working together since June to plan special drug awareness and drug prevention programs to educate the students and parents alike. During the week of Oct. 6-10, they will try to educate students on the dangers of drugs through a series of special speakers and activities. The week will culminate in a special evening at the Leamington Portuguese Club on Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., for students, parents and anyone else concerned about the increasing use of drugs in the community. Community Service Officer Kevin O'Neil said there has been a tremendous effort made locally and he is extremely pleased with the results. "We have identified that there is a problem with kids experimenting with drugs - not just marijuana and alcohol," said O'Neil, "but extremely dangerous and highly addictive drugs such as cocaine, crack and ecstasy." O'Neil said he is hoping through the presentations made by two motivational speakers, that parents become more aware of the prevalence of drug use and learn to recognize the signs that their children could be counted among those experimenting with drugs. He said loss of interest in school, loss of interest in activities and criminal activity are just a few of the warning signs. "The only way to get a handle on this problem is with the involvement of the everyone in the community," said O'Neil, "not just the school and police." The Carter principal is also excited about this joint effort. "I honestly think this is the best thing we've ever done," said Clark. And O'Neil is hoping through the eye opening presentations that members of the community will become more aware of the problem and the possible devastating effects that follow. Former Canadian heavyweight boxing champion George Chuvalo is an activist in the fight against drugs. Chuvalo gives a gut wrenching account of the impact drug use has had on his family personally - with the loss of three sons and his wife. Norbert Georget, international youth expert, former paramedic and founder of 'Smart Youth Power Assembly' will speak on alcohol and drug addiction. O'Neil said he is excited about the event and especially appreciative of the efforts by all those involved. He said the evening is a costly one but said due to the generosity of corporate sponsors, especially the United Communities Credit Union, the evening will be free to the public. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin