Pubdate: Wed, 26 Oct 2005
Source: Sherwood Park News (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 Sherwood Park News
Contact:  http://www.sherwoodparknews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1730
Author: Dave S. Clark
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

DARE EXPANDS TO TEACH MORE KIDS, PARENTS

More than 100 junior high and elementary school classes are now being 
taught the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program in Strathcona County.

"It's going great. The program has been expanding quickly because of our 
work with school boards and community groups," said RCMP media liaison 
Darren Anderson.

DARE will soon have a parent program, where adults will learn about the use 
and experimentation of drugs, violence and parenting skills. The 
five-lesson courses are scheduled to begin later this year.

The new DARE curriculum, which is made up of 10 lessons on drug use 
prevention is now being taught in every elementary school and junior high 
in the area, according to Anderson.

The program teaches children decision-making skills when it comes to real 
life situations with drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

In the junior high classes, the program also deals with maintaining healthy 
attitudes and lifestyles.

Last year, with the help of funds from Elk Island Public Schools, two 
part-time bylaw officers were able to teach the program to a large number 
of children.

Prior to this only 30 classes a year were able to be taught the DARE 
program, all of which were elementary classes.

"This program relies heavily on community supports and funding from 
schools," said Anderson.

He said the impact of the program was very hard to determine.

"It's a very tough program to measure. If you reach one or two children it 
makes a difference," said Anderson.

Not only does the program teach kids about the dangers of drug and alcohol 
use, Anderson says it also helps them get comfortable being around police 
officers.

"Students still come up to me, five years after I taught them," said 
Anderson, who used to be an instructor for the program. "It really goes a 
long way."

The DARE program was started in Los Angeles in 1983 when the police force 
and school district joined forces to stop a growing drug abuse problem 
among youth.

For more information the program visit its Web site at www.dare-canada.com.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom