THREE HIGH SCHOOLS COMBINE IN FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS

Week-Long Effort For Students And Parents

In an unprecedented show of solidarity in the battle against drugs in
and around schools, three local high schools are joining forces with
the Leamington Police and the Windsor Essex County Health Unit to
improve drug awareness in the community.

This special committee, which includes Leamington District Secondary
School principal Bill Toews, Cardinal Carter principal Leo Clark,
Kingsville principal Norm Ross and members of 'Educate, Empower and
Eliminate' (a local parents' group) have been working together since
June to plan special drug awareness and drug prevention programs to
educate the students and parents alike.

During the week of Oct. 6-10, they will try to educate students on the
dangers of drugs through a series of special speakers and activities.

The week will culminate in a special evening at the Leamington
Portuguese Club on Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., for
students, parents and anyone else concerned about the increasing use
of drugs in the community.

Community Service Officer Kevin O'Neil said there has been a
tremendous effort made locally and he is extremely pleased with the
results.

"We have identified that there is a problem with kids experimenting
with drugs - not just marijuana and alcohol," said O'Neil, "but
extremely dangerous and highly addictive drugs such as cocaine, crack
and ecstasy."

O'Neil said he is hoping through the presentations made by two
motivational speakers, that parents become more aware of the
prevalence of drug use and learn to recognize the signs that their
children could be counted among those experimenting with drugs.

He said loss of interest in school, loss of interest in activities and
criminal activity are just a few of the warning signs.

"The only way to get a handle on this problem is with the involvement
of the everyone in the community," said O'Neil, "not just the school
and police."

The Carter principal is also excited about this joint effort. "I
honestly think this is the best thing we've ever done," said Clark.

And O'Neil is hoping through the eye opening presentations that
members of the community will become more aware of the problem and the
possible devastating effects that follow.

Former Canadian heavyweight boxing champion George Chuvalo is an
activist in the fight against drugs.

Chuvalo gives a gut wrenching account of the impact drug use has had
on his family personally - with the loss of three sons and his wife.

Norbert Georget, international youth expert, former paramedic and
founder of 'Smart Youth Power Assembly' will speak on alcohol and drug
addiction.

O'Neil said he is excited about the event and especially appreciative
of the efforts by all those involved. He said the evening is a costly
one but said due to the generosity of corporate sponsors, especially
the United Communities Credit Union, the evening will be free to the
public.