REBELS VISIT DRUG-INFESTED EAST HASTINGS

Several Red Deer Rebels got a first-hand look yesterday at the
devastating consequences of drug addiction in Vancouver's downtown east side.

Red Deer Rebels Jordie Deagle, Nathan Green, Willie Coetzee, Colin
Archer, Darcy Kuemper and Brett Ferguson were taken on a tour of East
Hastings as part of Project Keep Straight.

"It's overwhelming, and of course a totally different environment for
them," said Cpl. Kent Dahl of the RCMP's Red Deer Federal Drug
Section of the two-day trip.

This year marked his second stint of heading to the notorious
six-block area in Vancouver.

About 10,000 people are packed into this single region and about
2,000 of them are homeless. Drug use is rampant.

"You see hundreds of addicts injecting themselves. It's very shocking."

Players from the hockey team have been making the trip to Vancouver
for 13 years. They have to be at least 18 years old and interested in
giving back to the community and being a positive role model for the
middle-school students they'll be speaking to after they return home.

Dahl added many of the players come from rural settings, so seeing
the East Hastings area is particularly eye-opening.

"They've never been exposed to anything like this," said Dahl. "It
makes them realize how important it is to lead a positive, drug-free
lifestyle."

Once the players arrived in Vancouver yesterday morning, they
underwent a drug awareness presentation explaining why the downtown
east side is the way it is and how drugs are brought into the city.

They also saw drug paraphernalia up-close and had a day-time tour of
East Hastings.

They also planned to visit Vancouver's harbour, and receive further
insight into how the drug trade affects the city. A night-time tour
of East Hastings is also included where the players can get out and
talk to the addicts and get a grittier feel of what life is like on
the streets.

Dahl said the Rebels were the first WHL team to partner with the RCMP
and the Vancouver Police Department for the program. Once home, they
will visit 18 local schools in pairs along with an RCMP officer to
share their experiences with students.

Part of the tragedy of East Hastings is that many addicts spend
decades trying to survive and end up dying there as well. When the
players talk with some of the addicts, they learn that many had
normal backgrounds and families.

"They are from all walks of life and all parts of the country," said
Dahl. "It's heart-wrenching for the players because they see people
who are driven by their addictions and nothing else."

Another presentation planned for today at B.C. Children's Hospital
was about babies born with addictions to drugs.

Rebels player Brett Ferguson said he chose to go on the trip because
he felt it would be a very interesting experience and as role models
in the community, it better prepares him to talk to teens about the
dangers of drugs.

He said he's visited local schools in the past to do anti-drug
presentations, but after visiting East Hastings he'll have much more
to offer in terms of painting a realistic picture.

"I'll be able to use my experience, share it with them and hopefully
get through to them," he said.

Cam Moon, director of radio broadcast for the Red Deer Rebels, said
the purpose of the trip is for players to see first hand the drug
trade at its worst.

"East Hastings in Vancouver has some of the worst activity and the
players meet the street people that the police know well and hear
about their stories - how they got there and why they are unable to get out.

"It's far more impactful when they have gone down and seen the drug
trade first hand," said Moon. "They have a basis of knowledge to go on."

Rebels' Assistant Coach Bryce Thoma said the trip to Vancouver is a
"great experience".

"I was able to go when I was a player for the Rebels and you can't
describe what's there until you go down there and see it," he said.
"People are so open and are willing to talk to you. We heard stories
of some of the people who ended up there and some of them were just
regular Joes.

"Within six square blocks you can walk and see every single junkie in
Vancouver. The drugs come off the boats in the harbour and then go
right onto the street."

He added the Rebels will continue to participate in Project Keep Straight.

"The Rebels were the first team to do this type of thing and now
there are a lot of teams who are participating as well," said Thoma.
"It's very beneficial."