TRIATHLETE TELLS TEENS HOW TO STAY HIGH

Recreation therapist Michal Tkaczyk uses humour and fitness to help former
drug users

Nick Lees Edmonton Journal

Recreation therapist Michal Tkaczyk has convinced many of the former
drug-using youngsters he works with to stay high.

"But I'm not talking about street drugs," he says. "I show them that when
they work out, their bodies combat physical stress by producing a chemical
reaction to overcome discomfort. Some describe it as a 'high.' "

Polish-born Tkaczyk, 40, arrived in Edmonton in 1990 and, unable to afford
a gym membership, he began running.

"Running is inexpensive," he says. "And it reduces the risk of many
diseases, builds self-image and gives a sense of psychological well-being.

"But most types of recreation reduce self-destructive and anti-social
behaviour in youths. I thought getting youngsters to run, and take part in
other types of physical activity, was a sound idea."

Some would say Tkazcyk might have become too high in workouts.

On Aug. 25, he will dive into Lake Okanagan at the start of Ironman Canada,
a 3.8-kilometre swim; a 180-kilometre bike ride and a 42-kilometre run.

"I see myself as a role model," says Tkaczyk, who works at the Chimo Youth
Retreat Centre, a healing home catering to troubled youths between 13 and 18.

Tkaczyk deals with people whose parents have come from all walks of life.
But when social workers found them, some were working in prostitution,
while others were involved with gangs or had run foul of the law.

Drugs were often a factor.

Tkaczyk has an unusual way of building a bond with them. He's a published
cartoonist -- a drawing he did of Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared in Muscle
magazine -- and youngsters love his zany characters. "Everyone understands
humour," he says. "It can open a conversation. I then often sit down and
draw with those interested."

But Tkaczyk is a realist and knows he can't win every time. "Sometimes
there's a phone call from a pimp and a youngster has gone," he says.

But there are successes.

"A 17-year-old I worked with, and who had been using drugs since he was 12
or 13, agreed to run in a five-kilometre race with me," he says. "He won a
gold medal. He had never experienced success before. I know he will never
forget it."