STUDENTS DARE TO BE DIFFERENT

The DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program is in full swing at
elementary schools in the area, teaching children how to say no and
boosting self-esteem.

Grade 6 students learn about more than just drugs in the 17-week course
says Edson and District RCMP Const. Kent Dahl, who teaches the course.

"We do teach the children to say no to drugs but the program also teaches
them social skills that will stay with them the rest of their lives," said
Dahl.

The students learn about "gateway" issues like smoking, alcohol and
marijuana as well as drugs that are prevalent in the area like
methamphetamine and cocaine.

They also learn there are consequences to every action.

"We try to target kids young enough so they haven't been offered or been
using drugs," Dahl said.

"One of the big catches for kids is that they are being taught by a
uniformed officer and someone who has credibility in the community."

One of the bonuses of the program is children are able to see police
officers as educators, not just law-enforcers, and the officers gain a
different perspective from the children, says Dahl, and the children might
find the officers more approachable.

"We've seen all the drugs out there and the people affected by drugs and
can tell the children firsthand how it would affect them," he said.

Dahl says the program is very structured and before he began teaching the
course he was sent to Edmonton to learn about DARE and how to effectively
communicate with the students.

Students learn about dealing with violence, whether it be at home, school
or during recreational activities and are taught there are several ways to
say no.

The last class of the course is a graduation, where the children receive
pins, certificates and awards are presented by special guests.

All parents are made aware their child will be taking the course and
advised on what is involved with the DARE program before the children begin
the course.

DARE, an extracurricular voluntary activity for Dahl, is supported by local
businesses.

Const. Dahl is currently the only member of the Edson RCMP involved with
the program, but he is hoping to get more officers involved next year.

The program began running a month ago and they hope to finish in May.

DARE has been running in Edson for the past four years.