Pubdate: Wed, 17 Aug 2005
Source: Burlington Post (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 Burlington Post
Contact:  http://www.haltonsearch.com/hr/bp/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1528
Author: Howard Mozel
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

POLICE GRATEFUL FOR SPECIAL PARTNERSHIPS

The reason behind the recent donation of a Mini Cooper to DARE (Drug Abuse 
Resistance Education) Halton is simple, says Daryl Budd of Budd's BMW in 
Oakville: it's all about the kids.

"It's always important to support the community," said Budd, who praised 
the ideals of the program. "It teaches children to challenge and not accept 
drugs and violence."

The vehicle was presented at last week's Halton Regional Police Services 
Board meeting to DARE Halton board chair Joe Zukiel, who believes it will 
give the program a higher profile when it appears at schools and special 
functions.

"The vehicle stands out," he said.

Added Staff Sgt. Andrew Fletcher: "If children are attracted to the 
vehicle, they're attracted to the program."

DARE -- presented to all Grade 6 students from both school boards in Halton 
- -- provides young people with the self esteem and willpower to refuse 
offers of drugs and alcohol, options for dealing with the stress of peer 
pressure and the means to solve problems without resorting to violence.

The Mini -- which has been transformed into a rolling billboard for DARE -- 
has been assigned to the Education Services Bureau. Officers will utilize 
it primarily during the delivery of DARE in local schools.

Fletcher said more than 5,000 children a year in Halton pass through the 
program. In addition to the new Mini, there are currently two other donated 
vehicles active in DARE Halton: a Bug from Oakville Volkswagen and a PT 
Cruiser courtesy of Georgetown Chrysler.

In thanking Budd, Halton Regional Police Chief Ean Algar said he is proud 
of DARE and the many partnerships between police and business and the 
community at large.

"We have great corporate citizenry," he said. "This is a demonstration of 
how the community is willing to work with us."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom