YOUTH PRIDE TO HOST DRUG AWARENESS WEEK

Selkirk Youth PRIDE is preparing to turn inside out when it hosts Drug
Awareness Week Nov. 19-25.

The group is made up of grades 7 to 12 students who have come together
to promote the merits of a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Drug
Awareness Week runs parallel to National Awareness Week to provide the
teens with a forum to share their message.

Jacqueline Williams, who is Selkirk Youth PRIDE's adult advisor, says
an impressive multimedia presentation will anchor the week-long event.
The professionally produced three-screen presentation uses music and
song clips to help teens understand its message instead of simply
lecturing at them.

"It's a motivational media presentation called Inside Out," Williams
said. The presentation is aimed at Grade 6 to university students and
their parents, and it runs Nov. 21 at the Comp's theatre.

"It's open to the public and it's free. It brings what we've learned
over time to the forefront saying no just isn't enough," Williams
said.

"Today's adolescents need to do more than just say no. (The
presentation) helps them make positive choices based on their inside
convictions, rather than their outside ones."

Selkirk Youth PRIDE members picked Inside Out after seeing the
presentation in Alberta. Williams says the group is excited about the
prospect of sharing it with the Selkirk area.

"It's just fun and it's so high-tech. The kids really get into it,"
she said.

Other events scheduled as part of Drug Awareness Week include a Nov.
19 mall display kickoff and a Nov. 25 drug-free video dance party at
Selkirk Memorial Hall. Admission to the latter is only $3.

Though the upcoming week is one of Selkirk Youth PRIDE's showcase
events, the group remains busy throughout the year. It continues to
branch out across Southern Manitoba with a series of informative
displays and skits.

"Regardless of where we are the kids have a great message to send,"
Williams said.

Started as part of a national drug-free leadership group over 18 years
ago, Selkirk Youth PRIDE found itself alone after its umbrella
organization folded. That hasn't kept the group from prospering
locally, Williams said. It continues to be well received in the
community and supported by donations.

"I'm hoping the community understands that Selkirk Youth PRIDE is
still very strong," Williams said. "They take their role of being
positive youth examples to the community very seriously. These kids
should be commended for being drug-free and standing up and sharing
their examples."

The group is also working to develop a relationship with the RCMP to
work on a holiday drinking and driving awareness program, Williams
said. It also has a crystal meth strategy on its radar, she said.