Pubdate: Sat, 18 Jun 2005
Source: Timmins Times (CN ON)
Contact:  http://www.timminstimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2032
Author: Heather Duhn
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

MORE AND MORE STUDENTS GETTING THE MESSAGE OF DARE

Another Group Of Students Has Been Dared To Stay Away From Drugs And Alcohol.

Timmins Times -- Another group of students has been dared to stay away from 
drugs and alcohol.

During the most recent DARE graduations, elementary school students in the 
community vowed to say 'no' to harmful substances.

Constable Rick Lemieux, who ran the program this year, said he wanted to 
have role models present at the graduation to show the children there are 
plenty of ways to say 'no' and become successful.

Among those were Dr. Gerald Champion and Olympic athlete Jason Gervais. 
Both gentlemen introduced themselves to the students and told their 
stories, and both said they had excellent people in their lives who helped 
them make good decisions.

"If you want to soar high with the eagles, you can't walk amongst the 
turkeys," said Gervais. "The secret is to never let people influence you. 
Be smart and choose a good life, and give yourself the chance to succeed."

Dr. Champion said that saying 'no' to drugs was easy for him, but he said 
it was mostly because he was well prepared.

"I was afraid of the consequences, but I was also afraid of the drugs 
themselves; where they came from, and what affects they would have on my 
body. Now you might say I'm one of the biggest dealers in town," he joked, 
"but I know where they come from, what affects they have, and I'm there to 
help my patients through any side effects."

Champion suggested to the students to find an activity that they love and 
do that instead.

"If you don't abuse substances, you're going to have a lot of choices for 
your future," he continued. "If you do abuse them, you still have choices, 
but you might not make the right one."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom