Pubdate: Tue, 27 May 2008
Source: Packet & Times (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.orilliapacket.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2397
Author: Nathan Taylor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Marijuana - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

POLICE MESSAGE REACHES KIDS

Video Presentation Preaches Dangers of Drugs, Gangs, Violence

Orillia OPP Const. Gerry Dwyer told his young audience he wasn't 
going to preach to them.

And he didn't have to. The images said it all.

Grade 7-8 students from Foley Catholic, Brechin Public and Uptergrove 
Public schools watched three videos related to substance abuse, 
methamphetamines, violence and gangs during a presentation Monday at Foley.

"There are gangs in Toronto, and they are moving this way," Dwyer 
told the audience, explaining how gangs like to quietly infiltrate 
college and university towns and their educational institutions.

A video was then shown featuring graphic footage of violence caught on camera.

After the assembly, Grade 8 student Travis Stong said he was "surprised."

"I didn't think, out here, there would be gangs," he said.

The school year will soon be over, and Grade 8 students are counting 
the days until they start high school in September.

The secondary school atmosphere is a lot different than elementary, 
noted Dwyer. There are more drugs and violence, and peer pressure can 
be intense.

"There's going to be a tendency to blend in," he said.

Ultimately, students will make their own choices, he conceded. 
Monday's presentation was intended to help guide the tough 
decision-making that lies not so far ahead. "You have a base to build 
on, because now you know the facts," Dwyer said.

The substance-abuse video initially focused on tobacco and marijuana, 
then led into information about stimulants, pills, 
performance-enhancing drugs and inhalants.

"It's pretty crazy to know you can die from your first take of (an 
inhalant)," said Grade 8 student Angelique Garner. "I can't imagine 
getting involved with that."

Not all of the information presented was new to the students, who 
have been involved in previous years with the OPP's Drug Abuse 
Resistance Education (DARE) program.

"I already knew drugs would destroy your personal life and your 
social life," Mitchell Dougan said.

The videos confirmed that knowledge, as they featured interviews with 
former users and families of people who died as a result of their addictions.

Dwyer and his team of volunteers will bring the presentation to 
Regent Park Public School on June 2 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Police 
expect about 450 students from that school and four others in Orillia 
to attend. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake