| Smiths Falls FOCUS Programs In Schools
The Smiths Falls FOCUS Community Coalition does a number of programs
with area schools.
Racing Against Drugs: Racing Against Drugs is a
community-based program developed in partnership with members from the London
Detachment of the R.C.M.P., the Ford Motor Company of Canada and the former City of
London Board of Education. This program uses the theme of sport car racing, which has
no room for error and zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use. This initiative targets
grade 5 and 6 students across the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Counties. It takes place
in June of each year and alternates between Brockville and Smiths Falls. We reached
approximately 1800 students each year and partner with approximately 50 community
agencies and businesses to put this event on.
For past Racing Against Drugs events check out these
websites:
www.typs.com/RAD.htm
&
www.brockville.com/safety
Drug Awareness Week (third week of
November): Drug Awareness Week began in 1987. The date is typically the
third week of November and is officially set each year by the Nechi
Institute. The Ontario Drug Awareness Partnership in conjunction with the
many Drug Awareness Committees across the Province work together to promote
and facilitate communication and information sharing about alcohol and other
drugs. The campaign centres on the talk theme and encourages families,
friends and communities to break down the barriers of communication and
begin an open and transparent dialogue on the issues associated with
substance abuse. The Smiths Falls FOCUS Community Coalition has participated
in this week for the last seven years. The group takes on the responsibility
of the Drug Awareness Committee for the local area and implements programs
and disseminates material keeping with the theme of the week. For more information check out
www.odap.org.
To learn more about Smiths Falls FOCUS programs in schools, please
contact
Lucia.Taggart@healthunit.org |
