DARE PROGRAM DEFENDED

Youth Committee Criticism Countered By N. Shore Police

THE West Vancouver Youth Advisory Committee was right about DARE (Drug
Abuse Resistance Education) -- the curriculum for Grade 5 and 7 students is
far too juvenile for secondary school students.

That's because it's not intended for secondary school age students, say
North Shore police officers teaching DARE.

Unfortunately, the committee didn't read the Grade 8 program -- set to be
introduced at all West Vancouver secondary schools in September -- before
releasing a report outlining its concerns about DARE to district council,
school board and the police department. The committee had reviewed a
November 1999 study of the program by West Vancouver researcher Charles
Curtis. His study found mostly positive reaction and results from the
program, but he did say that research suggests drug education programs have
only short-term effects, which would suggest further education programs
were needed at the secondary school level.

The West Van police implemented DARE starting with the Grade 5 program,
said media liaison officer and DARE instructor Sgt. Jim Almas, because the
program is about prevention.

"You don't have to be a brain surgeon to figure out that if you want to
prevent young people from trying something you have to talk to them before
they're exposed to it," he said. "All the research indicates that young
people are experimenting with drugs at the entrance level to high school,
so why would we wait until Grade 11 or 12 to talk to them?"

And for the elementary school students, it is juvenile, said Almas, because
it's age-appropriate.

Simon Maledy, vice-principal and Grade 7 teacher at St. Anthony's School in
West Vancouver, agrees.

"It's designed for the age group, and from an educational point of view I
think it's very sound."

He said the students love the program, and he believes it works. One of St.
Anthony's DARE graduates from last year is now acting as a mentor, working
with officers and talking to younger students.

In its report, the youth committee also said the program should be backed
by counselling facilities and a recognition that some substance abuse is
linked to other problems. It called for more information about hard drugs,
and pointed out that the high rate of drug and alcohol use among older
students indicated the need for a secondary drug program.

But the police were well ahead of the committee.

They had also read Curtis' study and as a result, they had decided to
implement the Grade 8 program. Students at Collingwood school were the
first to receive the new program this year.

"Like any program, whether it's math, social studies or DARE -- if you stop
teaching it they won't remember it in a few years,"said Almas.

The News recently reviewed a copy of the Grade 8 curriculum. It includes
lessons on supply, cost and demand for drugs; information about the short
and long-term physical effects of drugs ranging from tobacco and alcohol to
cocaine, heroin and inhalants; and a lesson on seeking help, information or
resources. It also includes an in-depth look at the Young Offenders Act;
information about drinking and driving under the graduated licensing
program; and a comprehensive section about anger management and handling
problems without turning to drugs.

And now West Van isn't the only North Shore community teaching DARE.

This year, the North Vancouver RCMP introduced the Grade 5 curriculum to
Queen Mary, Ridgeway and Lynnmour elementary schools.

"The community has been asking for this for years," said Sgt. Rob Boulet,
who is in charge of community policing and crime prevention.

He said youth are one of the RCMP's organizational priorities, "and the
force has recognized prevention and education are important as well as
enforcement."

He added that the RCMP in the rest of the province and Canada also support
DARE.

Const. Shannon Muir was one of three North Vancouver RCMP members who took
the two-week training course in Chilliwack to become a DARE instructor. Her
first class just graduated.

"They were keen ... really enthusiastic."

She said the program is targeting the right age group, because some of them
have already had exposure to drugs and alcohol.