DARE: NO ALCOHOL, NO DRUGS

Kids at Perley Elementary know dope is for dopes and boozers are losers.

Forty-four Grade 6 students are currently enrolled in the school's
community-backed Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program, aimed at
establishing safe alternatives to substance abuse and other destructive
behaviour while increasing self-esteem and instilling effective conflict
resolution skills.

Perley Principal Bob MacLean knows the importance of equipping his students
with decision-making skills before turning them over to the pounding
peer-pressures of high school.

"We brought this program in because research proves children aged 10 to 12
years old are most susceptible to being influenced when approached with
gateway drugs such as tobacco, alcohol and marijuana," says MacLean.

The 17-week course was originally designed in 1983 by the Los Angeles
Unified School District to combat urban violence and drug abuse.

Here in Grand Forks, Cst. Sharon Godlien takes the students through lessons
every Thursday with themes such as Understanding the Effects of
Mind-altering Drugs, building Self Esteem, and Reducing Violence.

Godlien says an intense two-week training program has provided her with the
skills necessary to guide the children in the right direction.

"(DARE) is one of the most rewarding training programs I've ever been
involved with. It's very important we reach these kids at this age because
I guarantee they're already being approached (with drugs and alcohol)," she
says.