to Government's Drug Free Sports campaign.

Minister of Youth Development, Sport and Recreation Dr. David Dyer extended the deadline to today for the 36 national bodies to respond to a mission statement uniting them in the fight against drugs in sport.

Ministry director Anthony Roberts said yesterday he was "encouraged'' by the response, with more than 20 signed forms having been received as of Wednesday.

Sports groups who don't comply can expect some tough questions -- and perhaps more -- from a Ministry that has vowed to proceed with a National Drug Free Sport Policy, initiated last year.

The deadline was extended from last Friday to give some sports that are currently out of season an opportunity to meet and discuss the commitment to action approved at the 1997 Sports Conference on January 24. Roberts said his office, working with the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports, is already forging ahead with plans for the April 11-12 workshop that will detail specifics of the policy.

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