GEORGE CHUVALO PULLS NO PUNCHES

Drug addiction is ugly and George Chuvalo wants youth to understand
that.

For more than 10 years, the former Canadian boxing champ has been
telling his story of crushing family loss. Two of his five children
died of heroin overdoses while his wife and another drug addicted
child committed suicide.

In speaking to St. Albert high school students this week, the 69-year-
old described in graphic detail how his two heroin addicted sons
would venture into the seedy part of Toronto desperate for a hit.

"When they would see the heroin in the dealer's hands, within the
fraction of the first single second, both of my sons on cue would
crap their pants," he told students at Paul Kane High School Monday.

"With the feces still streaming down their legs, they [would] make
the necessary exchange -- 65, 70, 75 dollars for the smack. Then they
would amble into the restroom of the Parkdale Hotel, roll up their
shirtsleeves, heat up the white stuff in a teaspoon, suck it up in a
syringe, then they would shoot it into a waiting vein. And only then
would my handsome sons clean themselves off.

"Every time I tell that story I get sick to my stomach."

Chuvalo also described how each of these sons were found dead with
needles stuck in their arms. While such blunt descriptions are
painful to tell, they're necessary to get the message across, he said
later.

"If you don't tell [kids] the straight goods, what good is it? How
are they going to know it's horrible if you don't tell them it's
horrible?"

Chuvalo's presentation includes a video on his life that was produced
in 1995, when he first started speaking to youth. While it plays, he
paces nervously outside, unable to watch.

His son Steven speaks from an Ontario prison, where he is serving
time for robbing a drug store. At 35, Steven is a hardcore heroin
addict. He's committed numerous petty robberies to feed his habit and
has spent three years in prison. On screen he appears strong and
confident, suggesting he's got the upper hand on his addictions. Not
so. Chuvalo revealed that Steven died of an overdose 11 days after
his release.

While Chuvalo doesn't offer reasons for his sons' descent into the
drug world, in general, he noted that most hardcore users also smoke
cigarettes and perform poorly in school. On behalf of his son Steven,
he stressed the importance of self-esteem, education and cautions
against experimentation. While he feels guilty speaking frankly about
their addictions, he thinks his sons would want to tell young people
the truth.

"They'd want you to know just how God-awful it is to be an addict,"
Chuvalo said. "They'd tell you that doing drugs is like hating
yourself."

Chuvalo's two-day visit was orchestrated by the St. Albert RCMP and
his $3,000 per day fee funded by the Rotary Club. For students young
enough to be his grandchildren, it isn't Chuvalo's boxing credentials
that bring weight to his message but his first-hand experience.

"His family has been through a lot and it really gives you a view
what you actually go through," said Zak Rosychuk, 16.

"I thought it was really inspirational and it's nice to know that
he's sharing his story. It's an eye-opener for other people and other
families," said Heidi Banasch, 15.

Catholic trustee Jacquie Hansen witnessed Chuvalo's presentation at
St. Albert Catholic High School and thought he succeeded in touching
students with his portrayal of addiction's ugly side.

"It was a fabulous session and I'd love to see more of that
throughout our community," she said.