RCMP ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO SAY "NEIGH" TO DRUGS

Contest Is Part Of Musical Ride

Carman Valley Leader -- Local students were participants in a recent RCMP
drug awareness contest.

Constable Ben Doiron of the Pembina Valley RCMP, Carman, brought the Say
Neigh To Drugs program to local schools prior to summer vacation.

"It's up to the local RCMP detachment to initiate the program," Doiron
said. "It's one that's implemented by the members of the (RCMP) Musical
Ride, but they obviously can't come out in advance and start promoting it.

"They've been on the road for weeks already, so basically they have one
member from each detachment they get in touch with and they leave it up to
them as an initiative to go out and promote that program."

The Say Neigh to Drugs program, a nationally co-ordinated drug awareness
program of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police developed by the members of
the RCMP Musical Ride, is aimed at educating children and pre-teens about
drugs and encouraging them to make healthy choices.

For Kindergarten to Grade 3 students, there is a colouring contest, while
Grades 4 to 7 students wrote essays on why they should say "neigh" to
drugs. Doiron said participants included students from Elm Creek, Carman,
St. Claude, Graysville, Roland, and Huttarian schools.

"In 250 words or less I was asking the young people to tell the RCMP why
they should say "neigh" to drugs, get their perspective," he said. "I
didn't get a chance to read all the essays but the ones I read were
extremely well-written.

"It was nice to see, and there was obviously a lot of effort put forward on
their part."

Doiron said 25 winning entries were chosen from the more than 500 colouring
and essay entries received.

"One of the prizes is one of 25 kit packages, including a free ticket to
the musical ride and a chance to meet some of the riders," he said, adding
volunteers from the Dufferin Agricultural Society helped with the judging.

"They had a list of volunteers who wanted to go through them and pick out
some of the winners. I think there were a few former teachers in that group
as well."

Jennifer Stow-Kehler, DAS president, said she was happy they were able to
partner with the RCMP for the program.

"It's great to increase awareness of the subject and it was great that the
RCMP were willing to do something like this," she said. Bea Fuller, DAS
secretary, agreed.

"It was great," she said.

Overall, Doiron said there were a number of reasons he decided to bring the
contest to local students.

"I thought it would be well-received and it was," he explained. "I always
enjoy working with young people, I like the students, I like being in the
schools.

"For me it was just another opportunity to set foot in local schools and
meet with some of the kids and teach them a little bit about the RCMP and
the Musical Ride, and send a positive message."