Pubdate: Thu, 11 Nov 2004
Source: Era-Banner, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2004 The Era-Banner
Contact:  http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/newscentre/erabanner/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2678
Author: Chris Traber
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

POWERFUL STORY HITS HOME

Drug Awareness Week Nov. 15 - 19

Secondary students within the York Region Catholic District School Board 
are preoccupied with alcohol, marijuana and illicit medications.

And board officials couldn't be more pleased.

In anticipation of National Drug Awareness Week, Nov. 15 to 19, the board 
has launched an intensive, hard-hitting campaign to teach students there 
can be more problems associated with recreational drugs than so-called hard 
drugs.

To drive home the perils of substance use and abuse, the board's drug 
awareness month committee and community partners have developed a series of 
month-long events for 14,000 high school students.

"Because many of our activities are outside the formal drug awareness week, 
we're declaring the entire month as a time to learn about substance 
issues," said Domenic Scuglia, committee co-chairperson.

"People say, 'It's just marijuana' or 'It's just alcohol' like there's no 
big deal with these drugs."

Each school will kick-start the campaign with a video entitled Consequences.

"It's a powerful true story about a young Texas girl who was hit by a drunk 
driver," Mr. Scuglia said. "She survived and is interviewed along with the 
driver who struck her. It's a high impact presentation."

Following the video, representatives from York's Mothers Against Drunk 
Drivers will share stories about the dangers of driving drunk. Youths 
previously involved in substance abuse will also relate their experiences.

York Regional Police will display a car wreck at schools as a reminder of 
what can happen. A travelling health fair will make the rounds during lunch 
hours and a red ribbon fundraising event is planned. An art and media 
contest calls for students to submit posters, essays, poems, songs and prayers.

The committee is made up of secondary school administrators and community 
partners including York Region Public Health Services, the Centre for 
Addictions and Mental Health, York Region Police, Addiction Services for 
York Region, the Canadian Mental Health Association of York Region and the 
Ontario Drug Awareness Partnership.

Additional information and a schedule of events is available by calling Mr. 
Scuglia at 905-851-6699.
- ---