CYCLIST PEDDLES DARE

Stan Wawzonek Rode Bike Across Canada With an Anti-Drug Message

It's taken three months, but Stan Wawzonek is closing in on the end of his
coast-to-coast trip dedicated to raising awareness about the Drug Awareness
Resistance and Education program.

The DARE program is taught in schools, usually by a police officer, over a
17-week period. Youths learn to recognize the risks associated with drug use
and strategies to refuse being involved with drugs.

Wawzonek, 60, from Brantford, Ont., started peddling his bicycle from St.
John's, NL., April 30.

He's headed toward Victoria.

The first leg of Wawzonek's trip included some snow and a lot of rain. He's
gone through two chains, a rear sprocket, three tires and had eight flats.

Wawzonek said he wanted to support the DARE program because he's seen its
success first hand.

"My oldest grandson went through it; I think it helped," he said.

While the original objective was to raise $1 million for the program,
Wawzonek switched focus when he saw that goal was not going to be
accomplished.

The focus is now to increase awareness and support for the program in local
communities. He said Canadians in every province have responded well to his
message.

"Any city or town that has it really likes it and wants to keep it," he
said. "I'm getting to hear stories and seeing how valuable to program is."

He asks that residents support the program, now in need of funding.

"Remember, our kids are our future."