Pubdate: Wed, 08 Aug 2012
Source: Comox Valley Record (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Comox Valley Record
Contact:  http://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/784

DRUG EDUCATION RECEIVES SUPPORT

Four Courtenay service clubs donated over $3,400 to help Courtenay
RCMP teach the internationally recognized Drug Abuse Resistance
Education (DARE) program to 500 local Grade 5 schoolchildren.

The Royal Purple of Canada Lodge 158 donated $400; the Soroptimist
International Club of Courtenay, $996; the Rotary Club of Courtenay,
$1,500; and the Knights of Columbus, $500.

S/Sgt. Anthony Choy, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the
RCMP Drug and Organized Crime Awareness Service which oversees the
Courtenay DARE program, said that over 250 police officers teach DARE
to thousands schoolchildren in over 90 communities throughout British
Columbia.

"The DARE program equips our children with the critical thinking and
life skills necessary to choose a drug-free life," he said. "While
police officers teach the program, the cost of the student learning
materials is covered by community donations so the program can be
offered free to all students. The learning materials cost
approximately $10 per student."

S/Sgt. Choy said DARE BC is their main partner on the DARE program.
DARE BC is a registered charitable organization responsible for
raising funds from within each community to cover the cost of the
student learning materials.

"We are very grateful to these local service clubs for their generous
donations which covered the cost of learning materials for 340
students who took the program during the 2011-2012 school year," he
said.

The founder of DAREBC, retired RCMP S/Sgt. Chuck Doucette said next
year's DARE program starts in September and will need to raise $5,000
in Courtenay to cover the cost of learning materials for the 500
students who are expected to take the DARE program.

DARE is appealing to the citizens of Courtenay to help provide the
financial support needed to empower Courtenay's schoolchildren in
choosing a drug-free healthy lifestyle. Donations can be made by
visiting the DAREBC website at www.darebc.com .
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MAP posted-by: Matt