KEEPING KIDS ON TRACK

Racing Against Drugs Program Launches Into 11th Year

Children raced cars around a track at St. Paul's Congregational
Church last Tuesday morning.

As they were manoeuvring the cars around the 1:24 scale oval, they
were learning a valuable lesson, said Const. Bernie Louwerse,
community services officer with Chatham-Kent Police Service.

Louwerse and other officers from the OPP, RCMP, railway police,
emergency services and other members of the CK Committee Against
Drugs, were at the launch of the 11th annual Racing Against Drugs program.

"The kids learn that they have to keep control of the cars or they
will go off track," said Louwerse.

"They can apply that lesson to life. No matter how much pressure they
have, they can learn to stay on the right track."

Staying on track and making the proper life choices were the main
theme at the 16 pit stops for students from seven schools who took
part. The event was scheduled to run last week and to attract 1,200
Grade 5 students from 35 schools across Chatham-Kent.

"We want to get the kids at Grade 5," said Louwerse.

"At that age they are like sponges, they absorb things easily."

Some of the things they were absorbing were messages against using
drugs, against smoking and against drinking and driving.

Other messages included railway safety and safety in the use of
all-terrain vehicles. Louwerse said the message is that an ATV is a
machine and children need to treat it properly, wear helmets and
other safety protection. He also hoped they would take the message
home to parents that they should view the videos that come with the ATVs.

Among the displays was Const. Marlene MacLennan and her dog Usko. She
showed fascinated children how she trains her German shepherd for use
in catching criminals.