Pubdate: Wed, 26 Apr 2006
Source: Niagara This Week (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing
Contact:  http://www.niagarathisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3733
Author: Joe Fantauzzi
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)

STUDENTS PUT PEDAL TO METAL WITH POLICE IN RACE AGAINST DRUGS

NIAGARA FALLS -- Students from across Niagara got a crash course in 
substance abuse, injury prevention and healthy lifestyle choices last 
week during the Racing Against Drugs program held at the Optimist Club.

The annual event offers information on the subjects to Grade 5 
students through 13 interactive "pit stops" run by a number of 
agencies including the Niagara Regional Police, Ontario Provincial 
Police, RCMP and the YMCA.

"It has been determined that (Grade 5) is the age they're most 
receptive to receiving this information," said Racing Against Drugs 
chair Sgt. Debbie Beaulieu of the NRP community services unit.

The Racing Against Drugs program provides an opportunity to learn 
about bullying, youth gambling and border services, along with drugs, 
alcohol and personal health.

"This is a venue by which 1,500 more kids can catch that message," 
Beaulieu said.

A new pit stop for 2006 dealt with Alcohol Advertising, run by 
Niagara Public Health. With the aid of an interactive spinning wheel, 
students were quizzed on booze ads, liability and drunk driving. The 
goal was to instill a recognition of alcohol advertising and better 
understand the power of marketing on personal opinions.

"The media by which the kids are inundated with these ideas has 
expanded exponentially," said Beaulieu. "The exposure is 
10-fold--through TV and the Internet of course --they're restricted 
only by their imagination."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom