RCMP TAKING DARE PROGRAM OUT TO TALK DRUGS WITH STUDENTS

The war against drugs is getting a boost from the RCMP and city this week
with the proclamation of DARE week.

Drug Abuse Resistance Education week runs until April 8 and police have
scheduled a number of activities to educate youths on the consequences of
using drugs and getting involved in criminal activity.

DARE is an international program police officers teach to Grade 5 and 6
students. It began in Kamloops last year at St. Ann's Academy and has now
spread to eight local elementary schools.

During the 17-week course, five specially trained officers teach children
to lead healthy and productive lives by resisting drugs, violence and
other negative behaviours such as vandalism, graffiti and bullying.

Sgt. Randy Brown says the response has been excellent and the local
detachment wants to expand the program to high schools by training more
officers.

"Principals are telling us kids are changing their behaviour in a wide
variety of areas. It's the fact (officers) are building relationships with
the kids. They realize a police officer is someone they can relate to."

Yesterday, DARE's senior deputy director, Patrick C. Froehle who founded
the program, spoke with city councillors, school board trustees and John
Tod Elementary School students graduating from the program.

Froehle designed DARE in 1983 as a member of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Today, Const. Mike Pears is scheduled to discuss gangs and violence with
Stuart Wood Elementary School students. Tomorrow, Const. Kate Bamber will
discuss the importance of role models in order to stay away from drugs
with high schools students.

On Friday, Bamber and DARE graduates will be wiping graffiti off walls.