PROGRAM EDUCATES YOUTH ABOUT DRUGS

Positive Decisions, Positive Choices begins March 8

Trent Hills -- The Trent Hills Community Policing committee wants young
people to make positive decisions when confronted with the lure of
drugs and alcohol.

That's why the committee is partnering with Campbellford District High
School, the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit and
Forecast and Rebound to hold the third annual Positive Decisions,
Positive Choices program March 8 at the high school.

"It's to educate the kids about what drugs are, and what it can do to
their bodies, as well as the local ramifications of getting involved
with drugs," said policing committee spokeswoman Janice Allen.

Beginning at 9 a.m., Grade 9 students will listen to presentations and
talks from guest speaker Brian Glasgow, a motivational speaker with
his own story to tell about the dangers of drug abuse. A second guest
speaker, Alex McPhee, will join Glasgow in talking to the students,
who will also take part in a range of interactive activities designed
to enhance their awareness of the consequences of drug and alcohol
abuse.

Allen said Positive Decisions, Positive Choices originated in Trent
Hills, and has now been adopted by schools in Port Hope, Cobourg and
Brighton. She said students are first exposed to drug awareness
education through the DARE program in Grade 6. "Then there is nothing,
and kids go into Grade 9 at an age when they are very vulnerable to
peer pressure," Allen said of why the community policing committee
first approached the high school and the other partners about starting
up a new program for kids just entering secondary school.

Allen said students responded well to the first two Positive
Decisions, Positive Choices sessions.

"The kids are very attentive; they take it very seriously," she said.
"It's really quite profound to them, and really opens their eyes."

The community policing committee has applied for a $1,000 grant from
the Ontario Chiefs of Police to hold the 2011 Positive Decisions,
Positive Choices program. The committee and its partners also holds
similar sessions in the fall for parents of Grade 9 students.

"That's always enjoyed by the parents," Allen said.