DARE TO COME BACK

After years of absence from Nanton schools, the DARE (Drug Abuse
Resistance Education) program is back.

DARE was last taught in Nanton by Const. Danny Palmer nearly five years ago.

Since Const. Palmer's departure, Nanton hasn't had a certified DARE
teacher to continue the program.

With the arrival of Cpl. A.J. Mand last May, however, the program is
back in full swing this school year.

The 10-week program is aimed at Grade 6 students, teaching kids about
drugs, tobacco, alcohol, peer pressure and how to make informed decisions.

"Basically life skills," Cpl. Mand said of the program.

Currently, Cpl. Mand goes to AB Daley once a week to teach all of the
school's Grade 6 students, 37 students in total.

"There is a junior high (DARE) program, but right now we're
concentrating on the elementary school," Cpl. Mand said.

In addition to the 10-week Grade 6 program, Cpl. Mand also spends one
day going over drug education with the kindergarten and Grade 1
students at A.B. Daley.

Cpl. Mand was one of the first Canadians ever trained in the DARE
program while working with the Red Deer detachment of the RCMP in
1997 when the program first came to Canada from Los Angeles.

And soon Nanton will have two DARE certified instructors as Const.
Dave Wallace will be taking the two-week course through the RCMP
starting on Feb. 4.

"I asked Const. Wallace (to take the course)," Cpl. Mand said. "To
me, he presents strong communication skills and he's great with kids.
I think he'll be a great role model in the schools."

Const. Wallace is looking forward to sharing DARE duties with Cpl.
Mand once he's completed his training.

"I want to be involved in the schools with the kids," Const. Wallace
said. "It's a great way to get to know them."

Though it's too early to tell what sort of effect the program is
having in Nanton, Cpl. Mand believes from past experiences teaching
the course that it will have a positive effect in the community.

The Nanton RCMP received a $2,000 donation from the Kananaskis Rotary
Club, of which Cpl. Mand is a member, to get the DARE program started
again in Nanton.

"With schools in the area, I think it's important," Cpl. Mand said of
the DARE program.