Getting buzzed on information

Peer leader students from across Thunder Bay gathered March 3-4 at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School for the Drug Buzz/Influence in Action conference.
“It’s an opportunity for all races to communicate,” said Elijah Sugarhead, a Drug Buzz/Influence in Action facilitator and role model from Nibinamik.
“This conference is not about telling them don’t do this, don’t do that; it’s about providing them with information about the effects of (drugs and food additives).”
The high school students learned about different additives in foods and drugs, and how those additives can affect them.
“They enjoyed learning some facts, for example, a slice of pizza contains 1,630 mlligrams of sodium,” said Cassandra Garrick, a conference co-facilitator. “That is way above and beyond the recommended daily intake of sodium, which is 1,500 milligrams.”
How to make healthy choices was the main topic of discussion, Sugarhead said, estimating about 60-70 high school students took part in the conference from DFC, public and Catholic schools across Thunder Bay.
“Drugs is an issue with all our schools – it knows no boundaries and no barriers,” said DFC principal Jonathan Kakegamic.
“It’s an issue with us and with us taking a lead in partnership with (the Regional Multicultural Youth Council and the Student Commissions of Canada), DFC could play an important role for the City of Thunder Bay for youth.
“We need to stop working in isolation.”
Kakegamic said interacting with other students will make the DFC students stronger and give them a voice.
“They enjoyed it,” Kakegamic said. “After several hours they are interacting now and feel a lot more comfortable.”
Kakegamic said the students have a plan to implement some of the initiatives they developed during the conference.
DFC students Jonathan Crane, from Weagamow Lake, and Davery Bottle, from Mishkeegogamang, have also been chosen to travel to Ottawa March 24-27 to represent DFC at the Students Commission’s National 2011 Unite and Ignite Conference where they will share experiences and learn best practices.
“If you work hard, it’s worth it,” Crane said.