YOUTHS TAKE PART IN DARE PROGRAM

Five young people now realize they can fight drug and alcohol abuse
with simple words.

During a 45-minute ceremony held July 10 at Staples Business Depot,
Jerome Freeman (Foley Catholic School), Kaitlin Dasilva (Monsignor
Lee School), Mikayla Rae (Marchmont Public School), Dakota Graves
(Coldwater Public School), Jenna Waslowski (Uptergrove Public School)
were honoured as the top five essay winners in the 2008 DARE (Drug,
Abuse, Resistance and Education) Program.

"It is by far one of the best education programs I have ever seen and
I thoroughly enjoy teaching it," said OPP Senior Const. Gerry Dwyer.

One by one each of the five finalists stepped forward to read their
essays. Each provided vivid images, outlining how drug and alcohol
use can drastically impact on their lives.

Representatives from the various municipalities, including Severn
Township Mayor Phil Sled, joined Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton and
Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop at the awards ceremony. "You are to
be commended for your leadership and the fact you are setting a great
example for your schoolmates as well," said Stanton.

"To all the kids, well done, and it's nice to see a Coldwater girl
here," said Dunlop, smiling at Graves.

Orillia OPP detachment commander Insp. Terry Wright praised the
involvement of all the parties in making the DARE program a success.

"In 29 years of policing, I have never seen municipalities come
together like they have with this program. They are to be commended,"
said Wright.

Freeman was named the top DARE essay writer this year and received a
computer and printer, courtesy of Staples Business Depot. Dasilva and
Rae placed second and third respectively and received MP3 players,
donated by Staples. Graves and Waslowski each received DARE watches
and desk caddies.

Each year, 700 to 800 Grade 6 students in the Orillia area take part
in the 10-week DARE program.

At the completion of the course students are given the opportunity to
write a DARE report and approximately 80 reports were forwarded to
staff at Orillia Christian School for judging.

Dwyer and fellow Orillia OPP Const. Sean McTeague teach the course
annually at 20 local elementary schools.

Dwyer said DARE leaves a lasting impression on the students. He
recalled a recent conversation he had with a now Grade 10 student,
where she said the values she learned through the program had
continued to stay with her.