Pubdate: Wed, 22 Oct 2008
Source: Free Press, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008, Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.midlandfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2613
Author: Christina Bernardo
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

JUST SAY NO

Drugs Program A Hit With Kids, Teachers

An innovative anti-drug and alcohol program uses a race track to drive
home the message to Grade 5 students to...

It was a race to the finish line. More than 500 students from 22 area
schools participated in Racing Against Drugs program last week at the
North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre.

Students came from schools in Midland, Penetanguishene, Wyevale,
Hillsdale, Elmvale, Waubaushene, Port McNicoll, Honey Harbour,
Victoria Harbour and Christian Island.

Velma Shewfelt, co-chair of the planning committee and project
co-ordinator at the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, said Racing
Against Drugs is a program for Grade 5 students.

It was developed by the RCMP and local events are planned by a local
community committee. It's been held in Midland for 12 years, and is
set up like a race track with pit stops that focus on the dangers of
drugs, alcohol, and smoking.

"The idea of Racing Against Drugs is to use the sport of Nascar racing
and the hobby of stock car racing to get kids excited about learning
about drugs," said Shewfelt.

She said students learn several key messages, including the importance
of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, the ability to make healthy and
right choices, the emphasis on refusal skills, and general safety
knowledge around drugs, alcohol and gambling.

The idea is to use the race track, which is the RCMP and drug
education component of the program, in a way for students to learn how
to be in control.

Teaching students at the Grade5 level is key, so that when they
encounter peer pressure later in life, they can make the right
decisions, just like race car track racing, she said.

Even though a winner is declared at the race, every student is a
winner for completing the program.

Each of the 10 pit stops -- about eight minutes in length -- focus on
drugs, alcohol, tobacco and gambling.

Four Midland Secondary School students volunteered their time to
operate the You Can Say No drama pit stop.

Shewfelt said it is a very unique and fun educational opportunity that
allows students to learn how to resist drugs and alcohol..

"It works. It's fun," she said. "The kids learn and we know from
experience now they retain their knowledge."

Concluding the two-hour session, four students from each school
participated in the big race as the rest cheer them on. The student
who keeps their car on the track the longest is declared the winner.

Each student also receives a Racing Against Drugs t-shirt.

Racing Against Drugs is the step leading to the DARE (Drug Abuse
Resistance Education) program, which teaches Grade 6 students to be
aware of peer pressure.

It was a first-time experience for Bev Maintenay, a teacher at Mundy's
Bay Public School in Midland.

"I'm very impressed," she said. "Absolutely blown away by the
attention, that the kids are totally focused.

"It's a good name because we're racing to get all the stations done,"
she said. "Of course, so much information is given to these kids. It's
a great introductory activity to talk about drugs with kids, which is
really important."

Maintenay said this program is hands-on.

"These are the experts talking about the serious issues and they're
doing it in a fun way, so kids are engaged and yet they're talking
about serious issues," she said.

"Down with drugs. Up with health," said David Felstein, a Mundy's Bay
student about what he learned.

Fellow student Emily Brooks learned about the different drugs, and
what forms they take.

"I like the way they displayed it in different types of games," said
Emily. Shewfelt said after this year's event, it will return in two
years.

"It's just not available and it comes out of the London detachment of
the RCMP," she said. "Because it's become so popular, it will go to
smaller communities every second year."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin