NHL SCOUT WARNS AGAINST DRUGS, ALCOHOL IN HIS SPEECH

Moosomin's six minor hockey teams were introduced and given warm
congratulations on their 2006/07 season at the annual Moosomin Minor
Hockey Banquet on Saturday, March 31. They were also given a stern
warning about the dangers of drinking and doing drugs--a warning that
came from Jim Pederson, the primary scout for the NHL's Dallas Stars,
who spoke as a guest at the banquet.

"There are three reasons I talk to people about booze and drugs," said
Pederson. "The first--and I'm not proud of it--is that I used to be
into booze. I did put it behind me, but not before I lost a lot of
respect.

"You can earn that respect back, but it takes a long, long time. Don't
ever lose that respect--it's very valuable."

Pederson went on to say that the second reason he speaks to young
people on the topic of drugs and alcohol is due to the harmful effects
he's witnessed from chemical drugs such as crystal meth. "Please just
say no to chemical drugs," he told the minor hockey players and their
siblings, who listened to his speech in the Moosomin Community Hall.

"The third reason I talk to young people is because I envy young
people," he said. "You have a lot going for you. So let's set some
goals. Maybe start helping around the house, cutting the grass, and
you'll feel pretty good about that when you do that, and you'll find
your parents treat you pretty good when you do that too. Then let's
get those marks up at school."

Pederson said that once goal-setting begins, young people can move to
higher and higher goals, such as aiming to play higher and higher
levels of hockey.

"Once you set those goals, don't let anything or anybody get in the
way," he advised. "You're going to find some losers out there who will
want you to get into drugs and alcohol, but don't let them get you off
track."

Pederson also spoke about tobacco at the banquet. "Why would you smoke
in this day and age?" he asked. "And chewing tobacco, snuff-- most
teams don't allow it."

Pederson pointed out that cancer is one of the biggest risks of
tobacco.

He also spoke on the addictiveness of drugs and alcohol. "This stuff
sneaks up on you," he said. "It is addictive."

Pederson warned that marijuana almost always acts as a "gateway" drug,
leading to further drug use and abuse. "I knew a girl addicted to
crystal meth," he said, "and she said 98 per cent of people start with
'just a joint.' "

Pederson noted a few reasons why young people get into drugs and
alcohol, saying the number one reason is peer pressure. Stress,
boredom and pleasure were other factors he said could contribute to
drug and alcohol use. Pederson listed many alternatives as better ways
of dealing with peer pressure, stress, boredom or want of pleasure,
saying drugs and alcohol are never the solution.

"In Southern Saskatchewan you have a lot going for you here," he said.
"You don't need drugs."

Pederson advised the young people at the minor hockey banquet keep a
positive attitude on life, focus on making the world a better place,
and to develop some work ethic.

His parting advice was never to let problems overwhelm you without
seeking help first.

"Sometimes life is not perfect, and we get problems arising," he said.
"Don't let a little problem get inside of you and get bigger and
bigger and bigger. Talk to a teammate, a counsellor, parents, your
coaches. Don't let the littler problems build into big ones. It will
drive you crazy."