Racing Against Drugs Week in Durham is from May 3rd to May 7th.
What is RAD??
Racing Against Drugs (RAD) Durham is a community-based drug and alcohol awareness program developed by the RCMP and presented since 1996 for students in Durham Region by the RCMP and a local network of education, police, agency, business and industry partners.
Racing Against Drugs Durham is designed to promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles through an exciting school program, including a curriculum , and a visit by the students to the Racing Against Drugs event.
Re-enacting the excitement of the sport of auto racing, a sport with no tolerance for substance abuse, is one secret to the success of this program, which promotes:
substance abuse awareness,
healthy alternative choices such as sports, hobbies or the arts,
It’s that time of year again - Racing Against Drugs Durham!
Monday, May 3 to Friday, May 7 is the week to mark in your calendars!! Our event is once again at Iroquois Park Sports Arena in Whitby, with set-up taking place on Sunday, May 2. Without the many volunteers who give up anywhere from half a day to a full week of their time to help out – we would not be able to run this spectacular event for over 6,000 grade 5 students each year!
The R.C.M.P. Musical Ride was proudly hosted by Racing Against Drugs Durham on May 23rd, 2008 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa. This event featured the D.R.P.S. Pipe Band and Choir, O.P.P. Aboriginal Drummers "Blue Wolf", the Durham Regional Police Tactical Support Team, the police canine unit, the Special Olympians and Torch Run and the RAD Song: “Take the Wheel” by Tafar - Davis, Cierra and Joey MacDonald and the West Lynde P. S. Choir.
Members of the Racing Against Drugs Committee meet with Durham Region Chairperson Roger Anderson as he officially proclaims the week of May 3rd to May 7th as Racing Against Drugs Week in Durham. Pictured with Mr. Anderson from left to right are committee members Merlin Thompson, Linda Lowery , Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention Co-ordinator from the Durham District School Board, Penni Barker-Adams, Chair of R.A.D. from the Durham District School, Tish Sheppard, from the Durham Catholic District School Board and Lynn Ryan, Co-Chair of the R.A.D. Educational Pit Stop Committee and representative from Durham Region Health Department: Injury Prevention division. .
The Racing Against Drugs program, developed by the RCMP, is an exciting initiative that encourages students to adopt healthy, drug-free lifestyles. By the end of this year’s event, over 75,000 students will have received information on the dangers of substance abuse, the benefits of healthy alternatives and the importance of personal safety.
The learning begins in the classroom where teachers deliver the Racing Against Drugs curriculum to their students and engage the students in pre-event activities.
During the week of the event, each school participates for half a day in educational "Pit Stop" sessions run by police services, health agencies, businesses and educators.
Under the inspired direction of Lynne Malandrino, member of the Racing Against Drugs Steering Committee and principal of Brooklin Village PS , Racing Against Drugs Durham had a song developed, Take the Wheel, which highlights the messages of this exciting program and contributed to our 10th anniversary celebrations of 2007.
The Take the Wheel song encourages students to make good choices, be drug-free and enjoy the excitement of living their dreams. They are encouraged to get back on track, with the help of parents, friends and community, if they lose the path to their goals.
The Racing Against Drugs program, developed by the RCMP, is an exciting initiative that encourages students to adopt healthy, drug-free lifestyles. By the end of this year’s event, over 75,000 students will have received information on the dangers of substance abuse, the benefits of healthy alternatives and the importance of personal safety.
