Pubdate: Thu, 03 Mar 2005
Source: Community Press, Quinte Edition, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 February 11 Interactive Publishing Ltd.
Contact: 613-395-2992
Website: http://www.communitypress-online.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1717
Authors: Kayla Beamish, Carla McIlmoyle, and Hunter Haig
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

ROSENEATH - DARE GRADUATES TAKE A STAND AGAINST DRUGS

The children of Roseneath Centennial Public School played host to their 
friends from Hastings Public School for a special joint graduation ceremony 
held on February 23. The two schools were celebrating the latest crop of 
kids to learn all about saying no to drugs as part of the Northumberland 
OPP's Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) classes. The DARE graduates 
presented short plays on the behaviour and possible consequences associated 
with illicit drugs and alcohol use, and the top three essay competition 
winners from each school read their work to those assembled. The theme for 
the evening was for kids to "Take a Stand" against the pressures around 
them to get involved in drug use and drinking, and they let their parents 
know that they've got the message loud and clear.

Northumberland OPP Constable Andrea Pewtner and Sergeant Brian Blimkie were 
on hand to explain the value of what the kids were learning in protecting 
themselves, their friends and families, and their communities from drug 
abuse. The DARE program in our schools in intended to decrease the presence 
of drug use in our area. Drugs are seen as one of the major causes of crime 
in Trent Hills and Alnwick/Haldimand, leading to break and enters, property 
thefts and mischief offences. Drugs are socially undesirable in all 
communities and drug use can potentially harm our children, either through 
direct health effects or in incidents such as drinking and driving accidents.

Graduates from Hastings are Kayla Beamish, Chrissy Densmore, Hunter Haig, 
Felisha Hunter, Mathew Langer, Carla McIlmoyle, Dylan Mead, Zack Prentice 
and Jordon Wickham. The top three spots in the "Take a Stand" essay 
competition were taken by Kayla Beamish, Carla McIlmoyle, and Hunter Haig.

Roseneath's graduates are Michael Anthony, Garth Bridgman, Conner Brown, 
Robyn Clay, Keirstyn Cook, Stephanie Dawe, Kailee Dupuis, Braydon Halsey, 
Michael Hogg, Troy Lean, Allen McKendrick, Brittany Miller, Jared Nicholls, 
Jesse Peterson, Cassandra Robertson, Dakota Simpson, Cree Trapper, Ashlee 
Victor and Travis Webb. The top three spots in the "Take a Stand" essay 
competition were taken by Michael Hogg, Jared Nicholls and Troy Lean.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom