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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom