MANRAJ Aulakh, a grade 4 student of John Maclure Elementary, this week bagged the “top poster” prize in Abbotsford’s “Youth Making Positive Choices” program.

The top student entries were announced at a community Parent Forum hosted by the Abbotsford Police Department, School District 34 and the Abbotsford Police Foundation.

Bryce Matties and Russell Peters from ASIA Sumas won the “top video” prize.

The Abbotsford Police Foundation was able to fund this new APD initiative as a result of the generous donations from citizens and sponsors. The 2017 program was developed by the APD in partnership with School District 34 and was designed to engage youth in the community, empowering them to make good life choices.

The program educated students on the dangers of drug use, supported youth in developing critical thinking skills, and encouraged teens to create their own messages that inspire peers to make positive choices.

“This is a very important initiative that will help our youth stay safe,” said Kevin Boonstra, President of Abbotsford Police Foundation. “I was pleased to see so many excellent entries from across our community.”

“Parents, please, it is so important that you talk to your children about this crisis. They need to know the facts,” urged Abbotsford Police Chief Bob Rich. “The dangers of using illicit street drugs has never been greater.”

Kevin Godden, Superintendent of Schools for Abbotsford School District, added, “Through our partnerships with the police department and health authority officials, we are discovering that today’s youth are learning about drug use at an earlier age than ever before. It is important that as educators we do our part to ensure active conversations take place around the impact and prevention of drug use. Our district distributes educational information to counsellors, administrators and youth-care workers, who work directly with our students to answer questions and clarify misconceptions.”

The APF supports Abbotsford Police Department community programs and helps enable the APD to achieve their goal of making Abbotsford ‘the Safest City in BC.’ The APF motto ‘Together for a Safer Abbotsford’ embodies their key focus areas – building positive relationships, connecting police with community, and funding engaging programs.

The Abbotsford Police Foundation needs continual support in order to be able to fund APD programs that help reduce crime in our growing community. Your contribution helps them connect police with the community; builds positive relationships; and enables them to fund engaging APD initiatives. If you wish to purchase tickets to the Crime is Toast fundraiser, sponsor the event, or make a donation, visit the APF website: www.abbypf.ca