DARE TO STAY OFF DRUGS

Grade 6 Students Learn Life Lessons

COLD LAKE - Grade 6 students who participated in the Drug Abuse Resistance
Education (DARE) program showed wisdom beyond their years in their personal
commitment essays. Jessica Rose, a student at MacKenzie River school, said
she has more courage to say no if pressured by her peers to do drugs.

"I learned the consequences of doing drugs or not doing drugs, and how it
affects you and your relationships with your family and friends," she said.

Ecole Voyageur student Pascale Ouellet said, "If somebody somewhere asks me
if I want drugs, I will probably say no thanks."

Ecole Voyageur student Stephanie Gagnon said, "Gangs are involved in drugs
and violence. Gangs are not cool at all."

Kahlei Reynolds of R.A. Reynolds school said, "I don't need drugs to make
me happy." Selena Reynolds, also from R.A. Reynolds school, said, "Drugs
and cigarettes can ruin your whole life."

DARE is a relatively new program aimed at teaching students the dangers of
gang violence, alcohol, cigarettes and recreational drugs.

While the program has good intentions, one could argue that it will fail to
keep ALL teens off drugs and steer clear of gangs. But it is making a
difference one student at a time. Since its inception in Cold Lake, 250
students have graduated from the program. The latest graduates from
MacKenzie River school, Ecole Voyageur and R.A. Reynolds school had their
ceremonies on Tuesday, May 15 at the Military Family Resource Centre.

During the ceremonies, the Holy Name Chapel Choir sang Lion Eyes, equating
the strength and pride of a lion to the inner strength it takes to choose a
drug-free lifestyle.

Walter Hrycauk, principal of R.A. Reynolds school, said the DARE program is
important because the skills learned will help the students throughout life.

"It's not just a good idea to take the course. It's a good idea to put
those skills into practice, and live a rich, fulfilling life as a result,"
said Hrycauk.

One of the reasons people try drugs is stress. Nick DeRoche, a student at
MacKenzie River school, said there are much healthier alternatives, such as
getting involved with sports, hobbies or community organizations.

Aside from fundraising by DARE students, financial support for this year's
program was provided by the Knights of Columbus. Jim Monaghan is the Grand
Knight for the Cold Lake Chapter. As the guest of honour at the graduation
ceremonies, he emphasized the point that was being made by others all
evening. That is, peer pressure to try drugs can be difficult to resist,
but ultimately the choice is an individual decision.

"We're not talking about whether to wear a green shirt or a blue shirt when
you wake up in the morning. We're talking about moral choices," said
Monaghan, adding that the students who took the DARE program are more apt
to make sound decisions.