PETER GREER HOLDS DARE GRADUATION

A total of 58 Grade 5 students graduated from the DARE (Drugs, Alcohol,
Resistance, Education) program which gives students the tools to say 'no'
to drugs, alcohol and tobacco. The program originated in Los Angeles and
has since been embraced by schools across North America.

Kayla Gessner, 10, initially didn't think the program would be that
interesting. "I thought it would be like boring. They'd just talk, talk, talk.

"But it was actually a lot of fun. We watched a movie about a guy who was
trying to influence kids to do drugs and alcohol."

"The part I liked most was about the skits we did in front of class to say
no to drugs and violence," said Derrick Affleck.

Josh Trehearne says the program gives students eight different ways to say
'no' to negative peer pressure. Shane Beaudry-Inglis feels having such a
large number of his peers buying into the program, will make it easier to
turn down harmful drugs, alcohol or tobacco once his class reaches high school.

The logic of the program is to target students before they are pressured to
take part in drug, alcohol or tobacco use. Shanna Krogfoss, who was one of
four essay presenters, was surprised by what exactly goes into a cigarette.

"We learned how many harmful chemicals can come in cigarettes. And then
high school students came and told us how easy it was to say 'no' to
cigarettes."

"There's so many chemicals in cigarettes, it's gross," said Beaudry-Inglis.

Lake Country Constable Brandwyn Rigby was the first local police officer to
be certified to teach the DARE program. And now Cst. Scott West has also
been certified to instruct it in area elementary schools. School
administrators have nothing but positive things to say about the program.

Sgt. Dwain Wetteland was also on hand for the Peter Greer DARE ceremony.
Wetteland says giving students the tools to say 'no' is an investment in
the future of the community.