La Loche Teens To Visit Vancouver’s Skid Row
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 13:52
Some teens from the Clearwater River Dene Nation may be “scared straight” this week when they see first-hand the devastating affects of drug abuse.
Twenty-five Grade 10 students from the northern Saskatchewan community will be visiting Vancouver’s downtown eastside this week with the Scared Straight Program.
The program gives kids a 48-hour tour of skid row in hopes of preventing them from falling into drug addiction.
Chief Roy Cheecham and 11 other chaperones are doing the tour, as well.
Cheecham says the intent isn’t necessarily to scare the teens, but rather have an impact so they make positive choices.
Cheecham wants the youths to see what can happen to good people when they become addicted to drugs and lack family support, shelter, and food.
The students will see the area during the day and at night.