Pubdate: Fri, 18 Dec 2015 Source: Expositor, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2015 Brantford Expositor Contact: http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/letters Website: http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1130 Author: Heather Ibbotson Page: A3 DRUG USE PREVENTION PROGRAM IS ABOUT KIDS An updated program of drug, mental health and social media awareness is being presented to children and youth in Brantford schools. Part of a changeover that began in 2014 as a pilot project across city schools in both the public and separate boards resulted in an agency name change to TICK (Teaching Intelligent Choices to Kids) from the former DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). "The DARE program met the needs of our community for a long time," said TICK Inc. president Susan Reid. "We are now very excited about this enhanced educational program for Grade 6 students. It has been well received by the students, educators and professionals on the board," she said. The DARE program was U.S.-based and out-of-date, Reid said. TICK is now presenting a new Ontario-based program, developed by the OPP, called KIDS (Knowledge, Issues, Decisions, Supports) to youngsters in Grade 6, she said. The new program cost the TICK board $714.05 in a one-time payment, Reid said. KIDS is "a bit more relevant" in that it speaks to current issues such as cyberbullying, suicide and self-harm, in addition to drug awareness, Reid said. The program offers a wider array of information on current issues in a six-session format that includes a workbook, videos and class discussion, said Brantford police Const. Rebecca Seibert, who is in charge of delivering the program to youngsters across the city. Issues addressed include youth and the law, peer to peer relationships, online and social media awareness, drug awareness and mental health awareness, she said. The introduction of learning material dealing with online and social media behaviour is important because of youngsters' access to tablets and cell phones, Seibert said. Addressing issues related to cyberbullying and mental health is important because many of the youngsters in Grade 6 already have some knowledge or experience of the issues through family or friends, she said. "They know a lot more about things than I expected," Seibert said. Over the course of the school year, Seibert will present the KIDS program to about 1,300 Brantford youngsters. Feedback received since the project's rollout has been positive, Reid said, adding that the program content is more inclusive for students and more relevant to Ontario. TICK also offers a refresher course in drug and social media awareness to Grade 8 students in advance of their entering high school, and offers a student leadership program in which high school students take part in anti-violence projects and poster contests, Reid said. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt