Racing Against Drugs (RAD) - April 24-27, 2012

NIAGARA FALLS, ON, April 18, 2012 /CNW/ - Racing Against Drugs (RAD) is a community based drug and alcohol awareness program for grade 5 students. It was originally developed in 1994 through a partnership of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (London Detachment), the staff and students of Saunders Secondary School in London ON, the Whitlock/Abby Ford Quality Care Racing Team, and the Ford Motor Company Limited. Since its inception, RAD has gained popularity and spread across the province, including the Niagara Region.

The primary objective of this education initiative is to use the sport of auto racing, a sport that has no tolerance for the use of drugs or alcohol to capture the attention of young people in an exciting and engaging manner. The Optimist Club in Niagara Falls is transformed into a race day atmosphere that adds to the overall excitement of the event. Members from the various participating agencies man "pit stops", each one designed to provide healthy, drug-free lifestyle messages in a friendly and fun setting.  The students even have the opportunity to experience the excitement of racing by competing on a virtual reality race track. Experience with the program shows that the racing environment captures and holds the attention of the students and therefore, the healthy lifestyle message is absorbed and learned.

This year the Racing Against Drug Committee celebrates its 13th anniversary educating youth across the region on the perils of substance and alcohol use. The event will take place from April 24 -27, 2012 at the Optimist Hall in Niagara Falls. The committee wishes to extend an invitation to all media outlets on Thursday April 26, 2012 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for VIP & Media Day. This event is closed to the public but representatives from all participating organizations will be present including RCMP, Niagara Regional Police, Niagara Parks Police Services, CN Police, Canada Border Services Agency, Niagara Regional Health Department, Niagara Emergency Medical Services, Business Education Council of Niagara, First Student Canada, District School Board of Niagara, Niagara Catholic District School Board, Niagara Detention Centre and the Niagara Falls Fire Department.

The RCMP will be "tweeting live" from the VIP & Media Day event from their @RCMPONT twitter account.  Follow along using hashtag  #RADNiagara.  Questions and comments welcome.

Ben Trendle - Captain
Niagara Falls Fire Department
[phone] ext 2211
[email protected]