Pubdate: Sat, 11 Feb 2006
Source: Mindanao Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2006 Mindanao Times.
Contact:  http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2980
Author: Anthony S. Allada
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

2,2662 STUDE FINISH COURSE ON ILLEGAL DRUGS

A TOTAL of 2,662 elementary and high school students from public
schools graduated last year from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education
(DARE) course initiated by the Department of Education in coordination
with the Davao City Police Office and the city government.

This was according to the magazine "Cop" written by Sr. Insp. Reynaldo
Denila Jr., spokesperson of the PRO 11.

The article said that students of the Talomo Elementary School and
Bucana Elementary School graduated from the DARE course on December 7
and December 9, 2005, respectively.

Launched on February 4, 2005 and already in its second year, the DARE
course is being implemented and that 13 elementary and secondary
schools in the city already participated.

DARE is a 10-week twice-a-week session course administered in the
fifth and sixth grade and high school students.

Davao DepEd DARE Coordinator Cielo Estrada said in the article that
only selected schools are covered by the program due to lack of DARE
officers and educators.

At present, there are only 20 DARE officers and six educators who were
trained by the DARE Canadian mentors last year.

DARE, which started in the United States in early 1980s, teaches
children to abstain from drugs, alcohol and gangs. It also tries to
boost self-esteem and resistance to peer pressure.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte recognized the success of the DARE program that
he suggested the inclusion of DARE in the school curriculum.

DepEd Regional Director Diamar Kadon, who witnessed the graduation of
DARE students in Bucana, said he is open to the idea of integrating
DARE to the curriculum. 
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MAP posted-by: Tom