Pubdate: Wed, 07 Feb 2007 Source: Nipawin Journal, The (CN SN) Copyright: 2007 The Nipawin Journal Contact: http://www.nipawinjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/867 Author: Denise Bokinac Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.) DARE PROGRAM IN JEOPARDY Every year, profits from the Police & Elks Assisted Community Education (PEACE) 100 go to support the provincial Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program. "It is a 10-lesson program that educates about drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse," explains Const. Garnet Waldbauer, a Nipawin DARE officer. Kids are taught the skills to recognize and resist both peer pressure and other pressures that might influence them into making bad choices. This program is taught by trained RCMP officers to all Grade 6 classes in both Nipawin and many other communities throughout the province. We currently have three DARE officers in Nipawin but since they get transferred around, there is never a guarantee of how many, if any, will be here at any given time. DARE started in 1983 with 10 police officers from Los Angeles, Calif. They recognized that the best time to deal with drug and alcohol abuse is before it starts. "It has caught on in Canada and is getting bigger and bigger all of the time," said Waldbauer. "It's a very worthwhile program for the kids, they really seem to enjoy it." The Elks Clubs sponsor all of the DARE programs in Saskatchewan. This is necessary to buy books and supplies for the kids. If the PEACE 100 stops running, we might just lose this opportunity to save a child from the ravages and pain that drug abuse can bring. "PEACE 100 is the main fundraiser," Waldbauer explains, "if it dies it is going to be tough to keep the program going unless we find some other sources of cash." RCMP Officers get involved with the rally by riding in it, helping to set up the course, volunteering for such things as helping out at the cook shack, and promoting it. The bulk of the work however lies with the Elks Club and if no one steps up to take over, the program will shut down. Eugene Rawlyk is the only original founding member left working on the PEACE 100. He has been looking for someone to take it over for a few years now. This was going to be Rawlyk's last year, but Glen Shane a friend of 25 years talked him into changing his mind. Shane is an Elks member from Coronach, Sask. that has rode in every rally but one, and the only reason he missed that one is because his son got married that day. Next year, Shane is going to be the Provincial President of the Elks."He said to me 'Gene, I've been a loyal rider and the year I'm going to be the president you guys are not going to have it'. So I wrote into the Elks magazine and said that I was going to do it for another year because I hate to see a grown man cry," laughs Rawlyk. Pete Moisan is the general chairman of the rally. He looks after things such as the banquet and dance. Although it takes about 12 people to put the rally together, according to Moisan, Rawlyk does the brunt of the work. "Eugene is the big pusher behind it all," claims Moisan. Rawlyk looks after things like getting the prizes, distributing the tickets and the draw. There is a lot involved with preparations starting in August. "Before you can get a permit from the gaming commission you have to buy all of the prizes," Rawlyk explains. "Then you have to send in all of the invoices with your application for the lottery." The PEACE 100 started 17 years ago after the Elks members found out that once again, they did not get accepted to sponsor the Sask. 100. They had been trying for a few years and were always told 'next year'. "Glen Day, who was Deputy Mayor at the time, said 'why do you need a Sask. 100, we have snow, trails, and hotels. Why don't you guys have one,'" tells Rawlyk. "That was the day we decided to do it." At the time, the RCMP had a Police Assisted Community Education (PACE) program, so the organization contacted them and an officer from Regina came to talk about it. Although they advertised for a rally name for weeks, nothing they liked was ever submitted. One day while sitting around the club, they came up with the idea of adding an "E" for Elks to the name the police already had and the PEACE 100 was born! "But I'm getting too old for this, its time for someone else to take over the reins," said Rawlyk. "It will break my heart if it has to quit." What are needed are some new Elks members. Someone younger, to step up and take the plate. Unfortunately, people are busy with raising families and don't always have time for such things. But it is the children of those families who will benefit from the program. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek