EDUCATION PROGRAM ALLOWS KIDS TO REBOUND FROM USING DRUGS

COBOURG - Young people will have a second chance to rebound from a
drug offence under a new drug education awareness initiative developed
by Rebound Youth Services.

"The program is geared toward education and the harmful effects of
drugs and the cocktail effect of mixing certain drugs," says Lynn
Faris, Rebound Youth Services director.

(DEAP) Drug Education Awareness Program encourages accountability and
responsibility related to drug offences and is supported by the
Northumberland Drug Action Committee. Referrals to the program are
made through the three local police services, the Crown Attorney
office and schools. "This cannot hurt," says Constable Cindy Reeves.
"Incarceration does not work sometimes, but education might."

There will be monthly three-hour sessions with program participants
which include an education and awareness video, guest speaker from the
police or health profession, and a personalized educational research
assignment for each participant. There is a $75 administration fee for
the program.

"Our first session is already full, we had 15 people register for it
in two weeks," says Mrs. Faris.

The first session will be held in Cobourg the beginning of October and
will later be offered in a variety of locations throughout
Northumberland County, adds Mrs. Faris.

"Students are automatically suspended from school for 10 days if they
are found in possession of drugs. If a student participates in DEAP,
the suspension can be reduced to five days," explains Mrs. Faris.

Const. Reeves says DEAP will be effective in delivering information of
the harmful side effects of drugs like marijuana, cocaine and alcohol.

"Rebound and health professionals can deliver the message better than
police. DEAP is just another great option to help people deal with an
addiction," adds Const. Reeves. For more information on DEAP call
Rebound Youth Services at 905-372-0007.