Pubdate: Thu, 31 Aug 2006 Source: Intelligencer, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2006, Osprey Media Group Inc. Contact: http://www.intelligencer.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2332 Author: Bruce Bell Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) OPP D.A.R.E.s KIDS TO AVOID DRUGS Prince Edward County OPP Const. Kim Guthrie wants local students to know the first time they try drugs could be the last. Guthrie, the community services officer for the Prince Edward detachment will introduce the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program to Grade 6 students in the municipality's eight elementary schools beginning this fall. D.A.R.E. replaces the V.I.P. program previously used and Guthrie said the new program will better illustrate the dangers of drug use. "I'm really excited about D.A.R.E. because I think it will be an excellent tool to help reach the kids and help them better understand how dangerous drug use is," she said. "The V.I.P. program was very good but there was no set curriculum so you could have different officers talking about very different things. With D.A.R.E., the curriculum is set the message these kids get will be very consistent." Established by the Los Angeles Police Department and the city's school board in 1984, Guthrie had to undergo an intensive two-week training session in Aylmer to obtain certification to become a D.A.R.E. officer. Students in Prince Edward County will be the first in the Quinte region to utilize the program. The program is scheduled to last 10 weeks with Guthrie attending each school once each week over that period. Four schools will be introduced to the program this fall while the other four will begin in the winter term. "D.A.R.E. is developed to target kids who are 11 or 12 and is all about awareness and helping them make educated choices and responses," she explained. "If someone offers them marijuana, it's not enough to say - 'no, my parents would kill me,' but this will allow them to make educated responses like - 'no because this is what marijuana can do to me.' These kids need to understand that the first time they try drugs might be the last because they can kill you." Each student will receive their own planner to work from during the program as well as a D.A.R.E. tee shirt. Guthrie said the planner should help parents discuss drug issues with their children. "The planner is very interactive with games and things to help spark communication at home. A letter will be sent home after each class so parents know exactly where we are." Although there is no cost to the students taking the course, Guthrie said it will cost $9 per student for the materials and to administer the cost of the program for almost 300 students across the municipality. "The Picton Legion Branch 78 and the Picton Elk's Club have contributed to the program so far but we still need more help to cover the costs," said Guthrie. "The great thing about D.A.R.E. is, it's not only good for the students, but it's great for the community as well." - --- MAP posted-by: Derek