Calgary Flames Help Youth Understand Drug Charges and Other Criminal Offences

During the same press conference in which five Calgarians were given official placement on Team Alberta for the upcoming 2015 Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup, a new initiative was announced to prevent drug offences and other problems young hockey players face.

An educational course called the Player Impact Program was developed with input from the Calgary Police, the Western Hockey League, and members of the Calgary Flames. It will be mandatory for all Western Hockey League teams, including the Calgary Hitmen.

The course, intended to be taught by a police officer, will incorporate video and discussion sessions to help young players better understand the law and make better decisions in regards to drugs, alcohol, gambling, sexual consent, and social media use.

It is great to see the WHL being proactive with helping its young players recognize that the decisions they make today can have lasting impacts well into the future, said Calgary Police Superintendent Kevan Stuart in a statement. Playing in the WHL gives these young men opportunities they have never had before, opportunities to do both good and harmful things.”

Outreach programs such as these have proven far more effective when it comes to combating drug use and reducing drug charges amongst Calgary's youth. More such efforts by Calgary Police and other interested parties, especially role models like the Calgary Flames and the WHL, will go far in addressing drug-related crimes and charges for other criminal offences common in Calgary's younger population.