ANNUAL RACING AGAINST DRUGS EVENT KICKS OFF TODAY AT ARMOURY

Cornwall - The 10th annual Racing Against Drugs week-long event geared
to Grade 6 students across S, D and G starts today.

The event is a community-based drug and alcohol prevention program and
involves several law enforcement agencies, including the RCMP, the
Ontario Provincial Police, the Cornwall Police and Fire Department, as
well as local paramedics.

The event uses the sport of auto racing to inspire youth to say 'no'
to drugs. The sport bans any use of drugs. Nearly 1,400 kids are
expected to attend the event, which takes place at the Cornwall Armoury.

"We want to give the right tools to the youth so they can recognize
what a drug is and what the potential consequences are - whether it
affects their health, social life, or in a legal way," said RCMP
Const. Jean Juneau, president of Racing Against Drugs Eastern Ontario
Region.

"We want to equip them with the ability to say no."

Officials choose Grade 6 students because soon these individuals will
be heading off to intermediate school where they will face peer
pressures and everyday dilemmas that could lure them into bad
situations, he said.