Pubdate: Thurs, 27 May 1999 Source: Vancouver Province (Canada) Copyright: The Province, Vancouver 1999 Contact: http://www.vancouverprovince.com/ Author: Kathy Tait, Children and Families Reporter The Province HEAVYWEIGHT SUPPORT FOR WAR ON DRUGS One by one, former Canadian heavyweight boxing champion George Chuvalo lost his three sons to heroin addiction. And he lost his inconsolable wife to suicide. First, son Jesse, 20, shot himself in 1985 after a struggle with heroin. Then George Lee, 30, died of a heroin overdose in 1993. Four days later, Chuvalo's wife Lynne overdosed on sleeping pills. Then, in 1996, Steven died of a heroin overdose at age 35. Tonight in Abbotsford, Chuvalo will fight a round in his biggest-ever challenge -- a personal mission to warn young people and their parents about the dangers of drug addiction. Chuvalo will ask them to join the battle against the plague of heroin and cocaine addiction that is sweeping the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley and claiming more and more suburban youth. Chuvalo, 61, is hoping for a huge turnout at the free public rally called by Reform MP Randy White. This rally follows public meetings called by concerned parents in Port Moody and Coquitlam and a public forum held by The Province on May 4 in north Surrey. White, the MP for Langley-Abbotsford, will ask people to sign a petition he plans to present to the House of Commons. "Our goal is to develop a national drug plan that really works to fight drugs and reduce crime related to drugs and drug use," said White. "This rally is a national event which will kick off our campaign." On April 28 The Province ran a 16-page supplement documenting the growing use of hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin by younger and younger youth who are targeted by drug dealers in their own suburban neighborhoods. The Province plans another public forum next month. - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck