DARE STUDENTS COMPLETE PROGRAM

Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program Wraps Up For PRES Grade Six
Students

PARRSBORO - Being a teenager is not easy.

Whether you live in a big city or a small town, the problem of
illegal drugs seems to rear its ugly head for young people, but local
Grade Six students have another tool to help them deal with such
pressures - the information they picked up from the Drug Abuse
Resistance Education (DARE) program.

The students graduated from the 10-week program in a special ceremony
at the elementary school gymnasium, with their parents and other
supporters looking on.

"I've worked with a number of youth prior to joining the RCMP, 18
years in different capacities, and I can honestly say that this group
here is the best I've ever worked with," said Const. Dal Hutchinson.
"I'm not just saying that. They are an excellent bunch, and need to
give themselves a pat on the back."

The DARE program was a series of interactive sessions between the
students and Hutchinson as facilitator, focusing on peer pressure and
the choices young people make on issues such as drugs and alcohol.

Having the opportunity to get to know some of the young people in the
community, has been one of the great things about being a police
officer, according to Hutchinson, who said the DARE program has
enhanced that opportunity.

"This group here is on the verge of becoming teenagers, and are faced
with a lot of pressure, a lot more than we were when we were
younger," he said. "With the DARE program, we're trying to enhance
that skill level they already have, and give them the skills they
need to make really good decisions. I have a lot of faith in this
group."

Parrsboro Regional Elementary School vice-principal Norma Collinson
thanked all of the groups that sponsored the program, including the
Don Yorke Memorial Slo-Pitch Tournament committee, the Royal Canadian
Legion Branch No. 45, the Parrsboro Lions Club, the Municipality of
Cumberland County and the Town of Parrsboro.

Among those in attendance at the ceremony were county councillor
Ernest Gilbert and several legion members.

She also thanked the teaching and support staff, as well as
Hutchinson, for his dedication.

"He has been a wonderful asset to the program and the school, with
appropriate input and caring," she said. "He has developed a
wonderful rapport with the students that will take him a long way,
and them as well."

Prior to hearing some of the essays written for the program by
participating students, and before handing them their certificates of
completion, Hutchinson echoed Collinson's words of appreciation, and
thanked the students for the good times and the hard work they did.

"Make healthy choices, you guys," he told them. "We can't make your
choices for you, but I know you guys can make the right ones."

Next year, Hutchinson said he plans on starting a DARE program for
the students in Grades Seven and Eight, so will be seeing more of
this year's graduates.

"You haven't seen the end of me," he told them. "I'll be keeping an
eye on you."