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.