Pubdate: Thu, 11 Dec 2008
Source: Prairie Post West (CN AB)
Copyright: 2008 Prairie Post West
Contact:  http://www.prairiepost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4428
Author: Rose Sanchez
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

STUDENTS 'DARE' TO SAY NO TO DRUGS

More Prairie Rose School Division students are DARE-ing to say 'no' to
drugs and alcohol.

Grade 6 students from Margaret Wooding School in Redcliff, Warren
Peers in Acadia Valley and Burdett School graduated from the Drug
Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program at a special ceremony at
Margaret Wooding, Dec. 4.

The 10-session course, taught by Redcliff RCMP Const. John Dzerdz to
students in Redcliff and by video conferencing to other schools in
Prairie Rose School Division, aims to teach students the importance of
resisting peer pressure and making the right choices later in life.

The graduation ceremony included a pizza lunch, special ceremony
including speeches by dignitaries, DARE essay readings by selected
students, the handing out of DARE certificates, a celebration cake and
the story behind the program.

Const. Dzerdz explained DARE attempts to give students the basic tools
to be able to make the right choices later in life. Students learn
about life skills, peer pressure, relationships with others and how to
respond to people in various situations.

"(The drug problem) is now everywhere," said Const. Dzerdz. "There's
no place on earth I think, you can escape it, so we need to help young
people learn how to deal with it."

He believes every student gains something from taking the course,
which reinforces its message every two years with a junior high
program offered to Grade 8 students and another to high school
students in Grade 10 or 11.

"(DARE) has only succeeded because it was allowed to come into the
schools," pointed out Const. Dzerdz. "I really appreciate (Prairie
Rose School Division) allowing us to into the schools to deliver the
program."

One student from each class was asked to read his or her DARE essay at
the ceremony, highlighting what he or she had learned during the lessons.

Margaret Wooding student Sarah Chisholm said in her essay DARE has
taught her how to make better decisions and when she is approached and
offered drugs she has learned many ways to say no.

"It will take a strong ... person to resist drugs," she said, adding
"I intend to stay drug-free."

Burdett School student Mattias Nelson said the DARE program gave him
knowledge and skills to make good choices regarding smoking, alcohol
and drugs.

"We were also taught about being proactive," he added. "This means
taking control of your life and being responsible for all your
decisions ..."

Margaret Wooding's Ethan Johnson learned how to say no to drugs and
smoking by using humour.

"People who do drugs think it's cool, but it isn't," he said, adding
he pledges to stay drug-free.

Reed Didychuk, of Warren Peers School in Acadia Valley, said taking
drugs is never a good idea.

"You can stay away from situations by saying no or using humour. I
have learned to do this with confidence, to not be scared and to not
change my mind."

Nicholas Campbell who attends Margaret Wooding, said more than 45,000
people die annually in Canada because of smoking cigarettes and also
talked about the harmful effects of alcohol and drugs.

"I will be more careful about what kinds of drugs are around me," he
added. "I pledge to be drug and smoke free for the rest of my life and
I will not try drinking until the legal drinking age."

Const. Dzerdz will continue teaching the DARE program in the new year
to middle school students at Parkside School in Redcliff and to
students in Seven Persons, Schuler, and Irvine.

The junior high DARE program dives more deeply into some of the
various drugs and their effects.

"The topics are a little more mature, because the students are more
mature."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin