Pubdate: Tue, 08 Apr 2008 Source: Review, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2008 Osprey Media Group Inc. Contact: http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2907 Author: Alison Langley Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) GRADE 5 STUDENTS RACING AGAINST DRUGS More than 1,500 students from across Niagara will Race Against Drugs next week. The 10th annual Racing Against Drugs event will take place April 14 to 18 at the Optimist Club on Morrison Street. The community-based drug and alcohol awareness initiative is designed to promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles, said Heather Selvig, of the RCMP, which helped develop the program. The program is geared towards Grade 5 students. "The kids nowadays are a lot more knowledgeable than previous generations, but in that age group, they are still impressionable," said Const. Rob Knight, of the Niagara detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police. "They are, however, intelligent enough to take the information we will provide them and, hopefully, it will set them on a lifelong pattern for healthy lifestyle choices." Using an auto racing theme to capture the students' attention, the club will be transformed into a racetrack including a professionally-built 1:24 scale slot car track. Participants will be steered towards a series of "pit stops" where police and community health professionals will discuss various issues including fire safety, youth gambling, and alcohol and drug awareness. Knight will share techniques for safe and responsible Internet use. "We want to increase their awareness of some of the dangers that are out there," he said. "The more information they put on the Internet the more that information can be used to harm them," he said, adding such information can result in Internet bullying or attract online predators. Participating agencies include OPP, Niagara Regional Police, Niagara Parks Police, Niagara Region public health, Niagara Emergency Medical Services and the Canada Border Services Agency. - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath