CHUVALO MAN ON A MISSION

Former Canadian Heavyweight Boxing Champion Lost Three Sons, Wife, As
A Result Of Substance Abuse

It still tears George Chuvalo up to talk about the tragedy that his
filled his life.

The former Canadian heavyweight boxing champion - he carried that
title from 1958 to 1979 - was at Bluefield High School Tuesday to talk
to students.

Since 1996, Chuvalo speaks to students, parents and other groups about
drugs and how they have impacted his life. He lost three sons and a
wife as a result of substance abuse.

What started out as a family of seven is now a family of three. He has
one son and one daughter left.

His presentation began Tuesday like they all do, with a video
detailing how his life, and his family's have unfolded. Yet, Chuvalo
couldn't sit and watch it with the rest of the student body.

"I loved my children," he told The Guardian in an interview in one of
the school office as the video played in the school cafeteria.

"I see them on video and it hurts. It's kind of hard for me to watch
it all the time. I can watch it once in a while but not very often."

Chuvalo's graphic recollection of events and his expressive nature
enable him to convey his powerful message.

The former heavyweight boxer feels being a father to drug addicted
sons provides him with the insight and wisdom to help others steer
clear of the same destructive path.

"It's kind of like my kids, even though they died, are helping someone
else. It's like they didn't die in vain," he says. "Because they died
they can help other people, that's what motivates me more than
anything else."

He deglamorizes drug use by giving examples of what he has witnessed
first hand.

Chuvalo said one fact is true - addicts always being with
experimentation. Smoking leads to drinking and that leads to a path of
marijuana, hash, pills, ecstasy, etc.

He says it's important to start talking to kids early, as in
elementary school: "Drugs are in elementary schools these days."

"It's important to be happy so it's not as easy to get pulled off
track. Love is at the core of happiness. If you do well in school
you're not as likely to get involved in drugs.

"If you have love in your life, if you're strong with your family and
if you're strong with your friends (you stand a better chance). We all
need the support of family and friends."

Chuvalo says the feedback he gets from talking to students and parents
keeps him going.

"If I can make a difference it makes me feel good. I feel like I'm
kind of on a mission."