Pubdate: Thu, 15 Jun 2006
Source: Strathmore Standard (CN AB)
Copyright: 2006 Strathmore Standard
Contact:  http://www.strathmorestandard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3322
Author: Stacie Snow
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

CHAMPION SAYS NO TO DRUGS

The man Mohammad Ali described as "the toughest man I ever fought" 
brought his harrowing tale of struggle, bravery and triumph to 
Crowther Memorial junior high school on June 6.

George Chuvalo is a retired Canadian Heavy Weight Boxing Champion, 
who dedicated his life to becoming an anti-drug advocate after losing 
three of his sons and his wife to drug related problems.

Chuvalo is working in coalition with Flint Energy Services Ltd., 
EnCana and the Regional Suicide Prevention Council through the 
Canadian Mental Health Association Alberta South East Region to speak 
with children about the dangers of drug use. He has made over 1,000 
appearances in schools across Canada and the USA.

Chuvalo said that he has been sharing his story with children in 
junior high for over 10 years because they are facing the most 
important time in their lives.

"When young boys and girls are in the transition of becoming young 
men and women, this is when you make the most important decisions of 
your lives," he said. "That is why when I speak to you today I am not 
talking to the group of 625 students; I am sitting down and talking 
to each one of you very intimately. I am speaking with each one of 
you one-on-one."

In his compelling presentation at Crowther Memorial, Chuvalo 
graphically described his family's shocking experience with 
addiction, crime, incarceration and suicide.

The presentation began with a 20-minute documentary on the former 
world champion's life. The film shared the story of the incredible 
highs and lows of the 60-year-old's career and personal life.

After the video, Chuvalo explained his family's downward spiral in 
his own words. He told the students that he first lost his son Jesse 
when he committed suicide because he was unable to deal with his 
heroine habit. He then shared the fact that his wife killed herself 
shortly after due to her grief over her despondent son.

As the students looked on in shock, he mournfully added that before 
he could get them the help that they so badly needed, two more of his 
sons would lose their lives to heroine .

Chuvalo taught the students the extreme disadvantages of drug use by 
allowing them a glimpse into the years of hell that he experienced 
while watching his precious sons slowly kill themselves.

Chuvalo became overwhelmed with emotion and paused. Looking tired but 
determined, he suddenly focused his attention on the students and 
said, "Doing drugs is insane. It is like hating yourself. I'm going 
to repeat that. It is like hating yourself, it is like hating yourself."

A number of powerful messages were present during his moving 
depiction of heartbreak and disaster.

He emphasized the importance of a healthy self esteem and saying no to smoking.

He stressed the negative influence of corporations and media outlets 
that promote tobacco and alcohol use.

However, the single most prominent message Chuvalo brought to the 
school was the importance of education.

"You absolutely need an education in order to have a healthy future," 
Chuvalo said. "When someone has no education it takes away their 
hope. When they have no hope, they are unhappy; when you are unhappy 
it is much easier to make a bad decision like my sons did." Crowther 
Memorial principal Ivan Wright, said that it was an honour to have 
Chuvalo speak with the children.

"He has gone through an immense personal tragedy that allows him to 
really reach out to the children in order to stop them from going 
through what he did," he said.

Chuvalo concluded his heartfelt and shocking presentation with a question.

"How do young people stay on the right path?" he asked the students.

Chuvalo went on to offer his answer to the query, "By making the 
right decisions; decisions that you are going to have to live with 
for the rest of your lives."

Chuvalo is a testament to resilience and perseverance. He is a 
warrior that has been beaten up, but never beaten down.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman