CYCLIST PROMOTES DRUG AWARENESS PROGRAM

Stan Wawzonek rode his bike a long way to get to Portage la Prairie.

The 60-year-old grandfather from Brantford, Ont. started his trip in St.
John's, Nfld., and by the time it's over, he will have visited more than 90
Canadian towns and cities this summer, spreading the word about the Drug
Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program.

"On my ride across the country, I want to increase awareness of the
benefits the program can bring," said Wawzonek. "I plan to meet with police
detachments and dare them to set up DARE programs in their communities
following my visit."

The program involves a 17-week course during which a DARE-trained police
officer goes into Grade 5 and 6 classes one hour a week, to teach kids
about substance abuse and violence, their consequences, and how to avoid
falling into their traps.

DARE, founded in Los Angeles in 1991, already has support from the RCMP in
Portage la Prairie. Officers plan to talk with elementary school
administrators this fall to try and set up the program.

"The program is set up to build self-esteem because most youths who have
low self-esteem are the one's who get involved in substance abuse," said
Const. Shelley Lepla, the only DARE-trained Mountie in Portage la Prairie.

Lepla said the program accomplishes its goals by showing respect for the
youths, giving them positive reinforcement, and teaching kids just because
someone is different doesn't mean they're less of a person.

The program also shows kids alternatives to using drugs, such as sports.

Lepla said DARE teaches kids stress-management and decision-making skills
by making them feel like they have a choice between right and wrong.

She said it's important to teach children about drugs and alcohol at an
early age.

Vince Hulme, 12, said he knows some youths in Portage who use drugs and
alcohol.

"Some of them think it's cool," he said.

His friend, Duncan Campbell, 12, explained youths see older people using
drugs and alcohol, so they want to try them too.

"I don't think it's cool," he said.

Hulme also said some people use drugs and alcohol to get rid of the pain of
living in a stressful family.

Hulme said he and his brother, Vaughan, 9, were physically abused by their
alcoholic father.

To cope with emotional pain caused by the abuse, Vince Hulme said he goes
to the skate park on Fourth Avenue East and hangs out. His younger brother
said he goes to be with friends in order to cope.

Campbell also said it's important parents talk to their kids about drugs.
"It's better if the parents are helping instead of the cops," he said.
"Some people run away from cops."

If schools in Portage agree to offer the DARE program, the RCMP said they
would like to train six more officers, depending on how much money is
available, said Portage RCMP Const. Bill Lumsdon.

Harry Lawrenson, an activist within DARE Canada, said his organization also
supplies money to train police officers. He said it costs DARE about
$12,000 to train a class of 20 officers.

In the meantime, Wawzonek will continue pedaling west, spreading the word
about the program.