"If you don't start, you don't have to stop" is the message of this year's winning entry in the Drug Abuse Awareness poster contest sponsored by the Knights of Columbus of Holy Cross Council.

This year, 652 students from eight Catholic primary schools served by Holy Cross council, took part in the contest: Holy Cross, Holy Family, McMaster, Prince of Peace, St. Thomas More, St. Marguertie D’Youville, St. Luke and St. Jerome schools.

One winner from each school was chosen, as well as an overall winner whose poster advances to a district-level competition. The Knights presented each winner with a $25 gift card from chapters; in addition, the overall winner received an extra $50 card and an honourable mention received a $40 card.

The RCMP took an active part in the program by helping with the organization, donating tee shirts and visiting each of the schools to make presentations about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. Sgt. Pierre Mudie and his team, Cpl. Patrice Poitevin, Cst. Gino Martinangeli and Aux. Cst. Dawn Watson, were diligent in bringing their message of making good choices to as many students as possible.

Neil Pouliot, who organized the campaign on behalf of Holy Cross Council, thanked volunteers from the Knights and the RCMP who visited the schools and judged the entries. "This is such a worthwhile program! There's nothing better than delivering this important message to our kids", he said.