Pubdate: Mon, 23 Apr 2012
Source: Creston Valley Advance (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Black Press
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/Kn5Ndn9Z
Website: http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/crestonvalleyadvance/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1413
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

CANYON-LISTER STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN DARE PROGRAM

This year, millions of school children around the world will benefit 
from DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), the highly acclaimed 
program that gives kids the skills they need to avoid involvement in 
drugs, gangs and violence.

DARE was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles and has proven so successful 
that it is now being implemented in 75 per cent of our nation's 
school districts and in more than 43 countries around the world.

DARE is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches 
children from kindergarten through Grade 12 how to resist peer 
pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives.

Here are a few of the speeches given by our 2012 Grade 5s during our 
DARE graduation:

In DARE, I have learned that drugs can be very bad for you, so the 
best thing is not to have anything to do with drugs, smoking and 
other things. I feel that DARE will help me later in life because 
we're being taught about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. So when 
we're older, we know about it and that it's not good for you.

If you are in a bad situation like someone telling you to drink, 
smoke or do other bad things like that, then leave, make a lie or 
tell an adult so you can stay safe. A lot of people do drugs because 
they don't know what's in the drugs and when they find out they 
become addicted and it's hard for them to quit.

It's better if you have close friends that don't drink, smoke or do 
drugs so then you don't have to struggle just to say no because 
they're not close. But it's better if you don't smoke at all.

With all the advice I will use the information and make wise 
decisions and stay safe because I know that smoking, drinking, 
tobacco other drugs are bad.

I pledge that I will not drink, smoke, chew tobacco or do any other 
drugs, especially if I'm told to do it by a friend.

- - MAKAYLA WALTON

In DARE, I learned that if you drink or smoke or do other drugs, you 
could die, get sick or lose brain cells. DARE has taught me how to 
define, assess, respond and evaluate.

I know a person that does drugs, smokes and drinks. He does not eat 
or drink water hardly ever. It makes me sad to know that people do that stuff.

I am glad to know that there is a DARE program to set people on the 
right track including me.

I pledge I will never smoke or do drugs and will not drink underage 
or become an alcoholic.

- - KYLA BLACKMORE

The DARE program gave us awareness of the effects and consequences of 
drugs, alcohol and smoking in our lives. It also taught us the skills 
to define, assess and respond wisely and solve problems.

We learned how to deal with peer pressure and how to choose your 
friends. We've learned many health effects of tobacco, marijuana and 
alcohol and their legality. It is important to know so that we stay 
away from these things that can destroy our brain, body, future and 
bring violence into our lives.

My parents already told me about the dangers of smoking, alcohol and 
drugs, but I really enjoy the examples on how to deal with peer 
pressure. We learned how to define and assess some peer pressure 
problems and opportunities related to drinking alcohol and smoking, 
which will make me more confident handling them in real life situations.

I commit that I will make wise decisions about drugs, alcohol and smoking.

- - EMMA PENNER

I have learned that drugs, tobacco and alcohol are very bad for your 
body. The officer has helped me by telling me about the dangers of 
these things. DARE has helped me a lot. I really liked doing this program.

I have learned that drugs, tobacco and alcohol can lead to very bad 
diseases and issues. Some of the problems that can happen are 
addiction. Marijuana can affect your brain and body by short-term 
memory loss, the loss of ability to concentrate and slowing of 
co-ordination and reflexes. Alcohol can slow down the brain and body. 
Examples are poor judgment, memory lapses and slurred speech. This is 
important to know because I want to take care of my body and be healthy.

I do not want to smoke because it can affect your health and it 
smells. I am not going to try drugs, tobacco or drinking because it 
is unhealthy for anyone. It affects teenagers more because their 
bodies are still growing.

The DARE program has shown me that I can say no. I promise to never 
smoke, drink or do marijuana.

- - MARLISE TESSMAN

In the DARE program, I learned how not to be pressured into things I 
don't want to do. I know now that I make the choices. Just because 
the "cool kids" ask you to smoke or drink doesn't mean you have to say yes.

There are a lot of kids that don't do drugs either. It's good to have 
some friends that aren't into that stuff because it's easier to say 
no to someone else.

I learned many skills that will help me when I get older. I know that 
I can say no to other people. I pledge to make wise decisions about 
alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

- - MEREDITH COTE
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom