Pubdate: Wed, 15 Mar 2006
Source: South Peace News, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2006 South Peace News
Contact:  http://www.southpeacenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2261
Author: Alicia Boisson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

HELPING KIDS MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS

DARE Programs Continue To Make A Mark In Community

In 1996 there were over 36 million children involved in the D.A.R.E. 
program worldwide, and today a small portion of those children are 
located here in High Prairie.

Local children who are educated through the Drug Abuse Resistance 
Education program, gain not the knowledge about drugs and their 
affects but also have a chance to improve their self-esteem.

"(D.A.R.E.) it has definitely helped my self-esteem," says Alexander 
Marzotko, adding he feels he can approach people he cares about. "My 
uncle used to smoke and I hated it. I wanted to go up to him and say 
I don't want you to smoke, I don't like it."

Aside from learning how to say no, DARE has also taught the grade 6s 
at Saint Andrews how to help friends.

"From what I thought drugs and alcohol were I have learned they are 
way worse. I definitely will not take them and I will say no if 
someone asks me," says Marzotko. "(If I saw my friends doing them) I 
would tell them no to take it and if they still do I would pick a 
different group of friends."

Jennifer Norgaard, 6B teacher at St. Andrews, agrees with Marzotko 
saying the program teaches her class life lessons.

"I find it good they learn about things that are dangerous for them 
and situations that might hurt them," adds Norgaard. "This program 
looks at what they are good at and builds their self-esteem."

She hopes through this program the children in her class will develop 
their values so they can make good life choices.

D.A.R.E., which was first established in 1983 in Los Angeles, is now 
in more than 54 countries around the world and gives kids the skills 
they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence, is a 
series of officer-led classroom sessions.

In High Prairie Constable Shawn Walker is responsible for molding the 
young minds of our community.

"There are many RCMP communities where DARE has lost its footing 
because of lack of man power and over worked files. That almost 
happened in High Prairie, but the Staff Sergeant and other officers 
are strong supporters of the programs," says Const. Walker.

During the March 2 session at St Andrew's Const. Walker stepped 
outside the regular curriculum to teach his pupils more extensively.

Using encouragement, Const. Walker taught the kids what drugs like 
cocaine, methamphetamines, alcohol, and inhalants could do to their bodies.

"Decisions Decisions Decisions. You guys are doing a great job. You 
are half way to Grade 12, and the choices you have made has gotten 
you this far," says Const. Walker to his listeners. "What you have 
done up until now . . . has made you amazing smart kids. I admire 
you. That is why you have to stay off that garbage."

Const. Walker says what the kids get out of the program is directly 
influenced by the strength of the instructor and what the kids take 
from each lesson.

"Most of my DARE kids have said they will never do this and they 
never have," says Const. Walker.

Walker gave the kids some examples of cases of drug users he has 
dealt with, as well as facts about drugs.

He says there is an 80-90 per cent chance a person will be addicted 
to methamphetamines with first use and they are hooked by the second.

"They are caught like they are like a fish on a hook. They think it 
is what they need, that's what their brain tells them and nothing 
else matters," Const. Walker continues to say. "Methamphetamines are 
worse than cocaine and cocaine is one of the worst."

For information about DARE or drug awareness contact Const. Walker at 523-3370.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom