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Page 1 of 5 ODD SQUAD has teamed up with the WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE (WHL) in order to continue to deliver the best information available, regarding the perils of Drug and Alcohol abuse.
Odd Squad, along with assistance from members of the VANCOUVER POLICE DEPARTMENT and the RCMP, have developed a two day interactive program designed to equip Junior Hockey Players with the tools necessary for them to present drug awareness information to school aged children as well as other members of their communities.
HISTORY
Since 1991, the Red Deer RCMP drug education unit has been working together with the WHL's Red Deer REBELS, to deliver information to local students about the pitfalls of drug abuse. In 1997, Sgt. Otto BERTAGNOLLI, of the Red Deer Detachment of the RCMP, proposed the concept of having the players travel to Vancouver, tour the Downtown Eastside (DTES) and experience for themselves, the reality of chronic substance abuse.
BERTAGNOLLI recognized a need to create more impact with the students, so in 1997 he sought and was given permission to use RCMP Air Services to fly six players of the REBELS to Vancouver to get a first hand look at the drug culture in the DTES. In October of 1997, BERTAGNOLLI accompanied Rebels Brad LEEB, Kyle KOS, Shawn McNEIL, Brent McDONALD, Jesse WALLIN and Lance WARD to Vancouver aboard an RCMP jet. By all accounts the trip was a success and the players involved felt empowered to speak to the students from their own experience.
In the fall of 1998 BERTAGNOLLI returned to Vancouver with REBELS Kevin MARSH, Stephen PEAT, Frank MRAZEK, Jim VANDERMEER, Dustin SCHWARTZ and Scott McQUEEN. The Red Deer REBELS have continued to send players to Vancouver every year as part of Project "KEEPSTRAIGHT".
Initially the program involved a presentation of the toxicology of illicit drugs as well as their effect on the human body. Members of the Vancouver Drug Squad presented information on drug recognition and method of use as well as an indication of what they might expect to see during their "Tour of Duty". The players were given chaperoned tours of the DTES during the day and again at night. They had the opportunity to speak to residents of the community, and hear the stories of how they have fallen into criminality and prostitution as a result of their drug addiction. In the fall of 1999 Randy MILLER, began speaking to the players as part of their Vancouver trip. The following year Nicola KEATE offered to come down and share her story with the players as well. The relationship with ODD SQUAD began.
In 2002, RCMP Sgt. Brian MAYRS and the Saskatoon BLADES created Project "FACEOFF". This project was modeled after the original program that was developed by BERTAGNOLLI, for "KEEPSTRAIGHT". For the past four years members of the Saskatoon BLADES have been accompanying the RCMP to Vancouver to experience the DTES. In 2004 ODD SQUAD director Chris GRAHAM and the Vancouver GIANTS created Project "STAY ON SIDE". In 2005, RCMP Cpl. Don PERRON and the Regina PATS added Project "FIRST GOAL". Also in 2005 RCMP Cst. Al NUTINI and the Kootenay ICE added Project "DEFENCE". In 2006, Cst Leslie McPherson and the Kamloops Blazers added Project "EDGE".
Since 1997, numerous marquis players from several different WHL teams have gone through this Drug Education and Awareness Program. Each player has used the knowledge they gained to educate others on the perils of a life of substance abuse. As a result several hundred WHL players have benefited from hearing their teammates share the drug information and relate the tragic stories they experienced in the DTES during the program. These players in turn act as role models and by using their newly aquired knowledge to go out into the community and share this message with school aged kids.
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