Pubdate: Wed, 16 Nov 2005
Source: Okotoks Western Wheel (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005, Okotoks Western Wheel
Contact:  http://www.westernwheel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1638
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

DARE INTRODUCES PARENT PROGRAM

The DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Works Foothills Society invites 
interested members of the public to attend its Annual General Meeting on 
Monday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. in Room 1423 of the Okotoks Health and Wellness 
Centre, 11 Cimarron Common.

This year's guest speaker will be Constable Geoff Carpenter who will 
present an overview of the DARE Parent Program.

The focus of this program is to increase parents' knowledge and comfort 
level as well as to teach them effective techniques for talking frankly and 
openly with kids about tobacco, alcohol and drugs.

The Parent Program is new this year and will be offered to adults in 
communities throughout the Foothills.

The new Parent Program will complement the DARE program currently delivered 
in elementary and junior high schools. DARE is a prevention and life skills 
program taught by specially trained police officers to all Grade 6 and 
Grade 8 students in the Foothills School Division and Strathcona-Tweedsmuir 
School. Through DARE, students learn the life skills they need to say 'no' 
to drugs and violence, resist adverse peer pressure, learn to handle stress 
and anger constructively and enhance self-esteem.

"We have been teaching DARE in the Foothills since 1998 and we expect many 
parents of students taking DARE will be interested in the Parent Program," 
said Geoff Carpenter. "We also expect a good deal of interest from parents 
of students who are in high school."

The DARE Works Foothills Society welcomes members of the public to join 
them and is expecting a great turnout at its annual general meeting.

Please contact Laurie McCreary-Burke, executive director at 933-4532 or 
Geoff Carpenter at 601-1616 for more information about DARE programming or 
the annual general meeting.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom