Pubdate: Tue, 08 Apr 2008
Source: Tribune, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008, Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.wellandtribune.ca/webapp/sitepages/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2807
Author: Alison Langley
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

PROMOTING HEALTHY, DRUG-FREE LIFESTYLES; RACE AGAINST  DRUGS PROGRAM
TAKES PLACE NEXT WEEK

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 race  track 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.
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath