PIONEER SCHOOL STUDENTS HEAR DRUG AWARENESS

Pioneer School Grade 7 students listened to a serious drug awareness
message from police officers and top-notch athletes January 18.

"Project Keepstraight" appeared at Pioneer School to give Grade 7
students information about drugs and the culture associated with them.

Two Red Deer RCMP Drug Section Constables who oversee "Project
Keepstraight," who require anonymity, appeared with two members of the
WHL Red Deer Rebels hockey club to give students different
perspectives about drug abuse.

One of the constables said the project involved sending six members
the hockey team to Vancouver, British Columbia, which has a serious
drug problem. "They learned about different drug trends, and toured
The Skids, also known as the lower east side of Vancouver," said the
Drug Section constable at Pioneer School January 18.

"What those hockey players learned there . . . they want to bring back
to Central Alberta and share with families here." The constable noted
all Red Deer Rebels players are volunteers for "Project
Keepstraight."

He also noted Grade 7 is a crucial stage in a young person's
educational, emotional and social development as many students in this
grade will be exposed to drugs for the first time.

"We feel this is a pretty good target group," added the
constable.

Red Deer Rebel center Ted Vandermeer, a native of Caroline, traveled
to Vancouver as part of Project keepstraight and was shocked by what
he saw.

As a role model, Vandermeer said he wanted to pass along everything he
saw in Vancouver's skid row to kids who may be at risk for drug use.
"We're going to share some experiences about what we saw on skid row,"
said Vandermeer January 18.

Brennan Chapman, Red Deer Rebel defenceman, said he hopes to give kids
more information to make the right decision. "We're going to talk to
the kids today about making choices," said Brennan January 18.

Many of the Pioneer School Grade 7 students were eager to hear what
the police and hockey players had to say, but also knew drugs have
consequences.

Grade 7 student Marcus Lennie said he doesn't like drug use "Because I
don't think drugs are right."

His classmate and buddy Haiden Heap agreed, saying "Drugs are bad, and
whoever does drugs has a death-wish."

Rocky RCMP Cst. Jon Rico attended the presentation as well and said
the detachment fully supports programs where the police support the
community, while the community supports the police.

"I think it's important the youth are educated so they can make
informed choices when they get older," said Rico at the
presentation.

"Project Keepstraight" is a Central Alberta initiative supported by
several corporate sponsors. Invitations are sent to Central Alberta
schools, and the Drug Section constables and Red Deer Rebels make
about 18 to 20 presentations per year.