Rationale
This program is aimed at the youth of our community, who are going to have to make one of the most important decisions of their lives. It is quite likely that almost every youth no matter where they live will be approached about using drugs sometime during their life. The goal of this program is to give our youth the information to make a proper decision on drug use. Drug dealers and the rumour mills only provide our youth with the so called good things about drug. Our youth need all the information.
This program is broad based addressing the needs of all youth from those who know nothing about drugs, to those who are about to try, have tried or are already doing drugs on a regular basis. Just as marketing professionals look for that common thread to convince you to buy a specific product. To effectively deliver a drug awareness message you need that common thread, to link that message to the person it is being presented to. This then gives the message a personal meaning for the recipient.
Using racing is one of those threads to gain the recipient's attention is an effective way of delivering the drug awareness message.
Constable McDonald is able to use his hobby of racing cars to gain the trust and the credibility that enables him to deliver an effective drug awareness message. He first used his race car in conjunction with drug awareness in 1996, when he was invited to participate in the RCMP Racing Against Drugs program which is hosted by the RCMP and the London Board of Education. The response from the youth who attended that event, was overwhelming and the benefits of the use of the race car in connection with drug awareness were very clear. He now uses his race car every chance he gets when he is dealing with the youth or the general public. The race car display has made appearances at other racing against drugs events, partners in response events, sidewalk sale days, injury prevention activities, and several other community relations events.
Guidelines
- The use of the race car at police related events is supported by the Woodstock Police Service in principal but not financially.
- The use of the race car during police related events will be financially supported by PC McDonald and/or any corporate sponsors to the program.
- The program must promote the Woodstock Police Service in a positive, professional and responsible manner.
- The main aim is to promote drug awareness education and community drug awareness.
- All events done in conjunction with the Woodstock Police Service must be approved by the Chief of Police.
- The Woodstock Police Service approves of the use of the department logo on the race car, tow vehicles and all approved printed material promoting the race car, drug awareness and the Woodstock Police Service.
- Local events promoting the program should be conducted. Example: a yearly racing against drugs program done in conjunction with the RCMP in which grade 7 and 8 students could attend and receive drug awareness information. Support of this program would have to be approved by the Thames Valley District School Board.
- The Woodstock Police Service understands that the use of corporate sponsors is an essential element to this program. The corporate sponsors may also be using the race car for the promotion of their company.
- The Woodstock Police Service may at any time remove approval for this program, if the Department is not represented in a positive, profession and responsible manner.
In March, 1999, C.A.A. Mid Western Region donated a leased 1999 Ford Pick-up for use by the Woodstock Police Service Racing Against Drugs Program.
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