COBOURG CHIEF TO TALK DRUGS WITH STUDENTS

COBOURG - Cobourg's top cop will bring his lecture on the perils of drug
use and abuse to students in local schools starting this fall.

"Northumberland, like many other communities, is faced with an
ever-increasing drug problem that translates into many other criminal
activities," says Police Chief Garry Clement. "Recent intelligence has
shown that drugs ranging from heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy and
all soft drugs are widely available on the streets."

Chief Clement has partnered with the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland
Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNC) to conduct drug lectures
to students from Grade 7 to 10. Chief Clement has been conducting drug
lectures to youth at Rebound Youth Services for a couple of years now. The
youth listening to those lectures recommended to Chief Clement that he
speak to students before they start to get involved in drug use.

The benefit of having someone like Chief Clement speak to students about
drug use ties into the local Catholic board's health promotion and drug
prevention initiatives, says Nancy Sharpe, PVNC spokeswoman.

"Because Chief Clement is so knowledgeable and with all his experience it
will assist us with making our schools safe and drug free," adds Ms. Sharpe.

Dealing with drug use among youth requires a "holistic approach" adopted by
an entire community, says Chief Clement.

"The abuse of drugs is not a problem that can be dealt with solely by
police," says Chief Clement. "By adopting such an approach everyone will
have an understanding of the problems being confronted in our community,
ensuring consistent and clear messages are available to all of our
stakeholders."

Chief Clement hopes to develop a Northumberland Drug Strategy involving
Port Hope police, Northumberland Ontario Provincial Police and other
community stakeholders.

"Our proximity to the Greater Toronto Area is beginning to have an impact
on criminal activity in Northumberland," says Chief Clement. "We are
starting to see the emergence of more serious crimes and forecast that some
gang activity will soon be noted."

Chief Clement hopes to partner with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School
Board as well so he can bring his drug lectures to public school students.