Glen Vienneau
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 07/00) - Just say thanks to First Air for its efforts in helping raise drug awareness about drugs throughout the North.

"It's part of a community wellness program that First Air endorses in all the communities in the North," Jim Ballingall, of Ottawa, vice-president of marketing and sales for First Air.

"It's good for the company, but particularly it's good for the communities," said Ballingall, adding "It's a long term commitment, long partnership with the RCMP."

The show of appreciation came as thanks to the airline for providing more than 24 free flights to Edmonton and Ottawa.

The flights were given to children and RCMP members who participated in various drug awareness training workshops and meetings as part of the Onside and Drug Abuse Resistance Education programs.

"First Air is a major player in that initiative," said Sergeant Phil Johnson, community policy section for the RCMP G Division. Throughout the year the RCMP receives corporate sponsorship for such programs, he added.

"They are numerous business that contribute in variety of ways in helping the RCMP perform these necessary preventative programs in the North," said Johnson.

"It would be extremely difficult for RCMP to deliver these programs without the generous benefit or support of our corporate community in the North West Territories and Nunavut, Crime prevention is everybody's responsibility in my view."

Targeting school children aged 11 to 17, Onside encourages youth to remain in school and to stay away from drugs.

The program's poster contest with the theme Yes to Life, No to Drugs offers the opportunity for 12 winners to attend an NHL hockey game either in Edmonton or Ottawa every year.

The DARE program is a comprehensive prevention education 17 week program directed towards grades five and six students.

It is delivered in the schools by RCMP officers who have completed a week training program in Edmonton.