Pubdate: Thu, 3 Feb 2000 Source: Grenfell Sun & Broadview Express (Saskatchewan, Canada) Box 189, Grenfell, Saskatchewan S0G 2B0 Phone (306) 697-2722 Fax (306) 697-2689 E-mail: January 19, 2000 Author: Jamie Gibson NEW RCMP PROGRAM TARGETS ELEMENTARY STUDENTS Elementary students in Broadview and Whitewood are taking part in a new program sponsored by the RCMP, which will be expanded to include surrounding schools. The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program covers topics like the different types of drugs, why young people use drugs, alternatives to drug use, building self esteem, peer pressure violence and ways to say no to drugs. Constable Sandra Sutherland of the Broadview detachment underwent an extensive two week course last fall and will be teaching the course to the pupils. The DARE program was developed by the Los Angeles Police Department in 1983 and has been very successful. A total of 29 RCMP officers took part in the two week course at the RCMP Training Depot in Regina, as well as two officers from the Weyburn Police Service. It was taught by members of the Houston, Texas Police Department, DARE Unit," Sutherland explained. Along with learning about the program, the officers were given a crash course in teaching in a classroom setting, and ways to help them get the students' attention and hopefully, get the message across. It was a very compact way to learn to become a teacher," Sutherland said with a chuckle. Although the program is aimed at grade five level, students from kindergarten to grade 4 also take part in the program. The core program is taught to the grade 5 students because that is the age where they begin to start making more choices on their own and are under less supervision than younger children. The program targets 10 and 11 year olds and is taught over 17 lessons. But the focus, according to Sutherland is not just on saying no to drugs. It is much more than that. For our purposes drugs include illicit drugs, but it also includes cigarettes and nicotine and alcohol. So it is all encompassing." Obviously, the big part of it is to say no to drugs and alcohol. But instead of just sitting up in front of the kids and telling them to say 'no', it is a 17 week program and we talk about all the things like why kids do drugs." Sutherland said two big factors are peer pressure and media pressure which have a major influence on these kids. The kids have workbooks which they use and they include different information for the kids to utilize. Sutherland said one section of the course focuses on different ways to say 'no' to drugs and alcohol offers; another is on building self esteem and learning to manage stress. A lot of them turn to drugs and alcohol because of stress at home or at school and (the kids learn) how to manage that stress." Other topics, such as reducing violence and resisting gang and group violence is also studied. It is much more than saying 'no'. We give them reasons why to say 'no'. Why you might have to say 'no', and what else you can do." Sutherland said that the core program is taught at the grade 5 level because that is when the kids are beginning to come in contact with things like cigarettes, alcohol and in some instances drugs. At that age they are vulnerable because they are under less supervision from parents, teachers or care givers. They are getting to the age where they may be left at home a little bit more. They might be old enough to stay home by themselves and doing more things on their own." As far as the other classes, Sutherland said it starts in kindergarten where she teaches a one day program on being safe. The grade 1 and 2 students receive four lessons on personal safety, drugs, and saying 'no'. The grade 3 and 4 classes also receive four lessons on things like laws and rules, handling conflicts, saying 'no', and much of what they learn is a preparation for the main course taught in grade 5. The DARE program is currently taught in over 40 countries and has been taught in this province since 1997. There are over 60 DARE officers in Saskatchewan and 30,000 worldwide. It is hoped that every school in Saskatchewan will have a DARE program. For Sutherland, she hopes to be able to expand the program in the fall. Because it was my first year, I wanted to keep a handle on it and it is a lot of work with just the two schools. I have already been approached by Ochapowace and I will be approaching Grenfell and Cowessess," she stated. Although she has just started the course, Sutherland said the response has been incredible. I have done two lessons at Whitewood School and one at Broadview. At Whitewood when I went for my second day, there were three kids missing on the first day, and on the second day every kid was there," she explained. They are very enthusiastic. The day after I taught my first class, I had my parents' meeting in Whitewood and there was a very positive reaction from the parents." The parents explained that the kids had come home and talked about the program and what they had learned. One important aspect of the program is that it does open room for discussions at home and that parents must play a supportive role. So far, it has been very positive." Sutherland met with parents in Broadview on January 13th and she met with the Broadview Lions Club earlier in the week and said they had agreed to make a donation for the local DARE program. The success of the DARE program in the United States has been very positive and there are statistics to back up the positive impact it has had. A nationwide survey of DARE graduates reported that 90% of the graduates felt that the program helped them avoid drugs and alcohol, increased their self confidence and helped them effectively deal with peer pressure. Of those surveyed, 94% said they used one or two of the avoidance techniques taught through the DARE program, and 93% have reported they have never tried marijuana, cocaine, heroin, crack or inhalants. Close to 90% also believe that drug use is very dangerous. Sutherland hopes to expand the program to surrounding schools in the fall. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart