NEW RCMP PROGRAM TARGETS ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

Elementary students in Broadview and Whitewood are taking part in a new
program sponsored by the RCMP, which will be expanded to include
surrounding schools. The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program
covers topics like the different types of drugs, why young people use
drugs, alternatives to drug use, building self esteem, peer pressure
violence and ways to say no to drugs.

Constable Sandra Sutherland of the Broadview detachment underwent an
extensive two week course last fall and will be teaching the course to the
pupils. The DARE program was developed by the Los Angeles Police Department
in 1983 and has been very successful.

A total of 29 RCMP officers took part in the two week course at the RCMP
Training Depot in Regina, as well as two officers from the Weyburn Police
Service.

It was taught by members of the Houston, Texas Police Department, DARE
Unit," Sutherland explained.

Along with learning about the program, the officers were given a crash
course in teaching in a classroom setting, and ways to help them get the
students' attention and hopefully, get the message across.

It was a very compact way to learn to become a teacher," Sutherland said
with a chuckle.

Although the program is aimed at grade five level, students from
kindergarten to grade 4 also take part in the program. The core program is
taught to the grade 5 students because that is the age where they begin to
start making more choices on their own and are under less supervision than
younger children. The program targets 10 and 11 year olds and is taught
over 17 lessons.

But the focus, according to Sutherland is not just on saying no to drugs.

It is much more than that. For our purposes drugs include illicit drugs,
but it also includes cigarettes and nicotine and alcohol. So it is all
encompassing."

Obviously, the big part of it is to say no to drugs and alcohol. But
instead of just sitting up in front of the kids and telling them to say
'no', it is a 17 week program and we talk about all the things like why
kids do drugs."

Sutherland said two big factors are peer pressure and media pressure which
have a major influence on these kids.

The kids have workbooks which they use and they include different
information for the kids to utilize. Sutherland said one section of the
course focuses on different ways to say 'no' to drugs and alcohol offers;
another is on building self esteem and learning to manage stress.

A lot of them turn to drugs and alcohol because of stress at home or at
school and (the kids learn) how to manage that stress."

Other topics, such as reducing violence and resisting gang and group
violence is also studied.

It is much more than saying 'no'. We give them reasons why to say 'no'. Why
you might have to say 'no', and what else you can do."

Sutherland said that the core program is taught at the grade 5 level
because that is when the kids are beginning to come in contact with things
like cigarettes, alcohol and in some instances drugs. At that age they are
vulnerable because they are under less supervision from parents, teachers
or care givers.

They are getting to the age where they may be left at home a little bit
more. They might be old enough to stay home by themselves and doing more
things on their own."

As far as the other classes, Sutherland said it starts in kindergarten
where she teaches a one day program on being safe.

The grade 1 and 2 students receive four lessons on personal safety, drugs,
and saying 'no'. The grade 3 and 4 classes also receive four lessons on
things like laws and rules, handling conflicts, saying 'no', and much of
what they learn is a preparation for the main course taught in grade 5.

The DARE program is currently taught in over 40 countries and has been
taught in this province since 1997. There are over 60 DARE officers in
Saskatchewan and 30,000 worldwide. It is hoped that every school in
Saskatchewan will have a DARE program. For Sutherland, she hopes to be able
to expand the program in the fall.

Because it was my first year, I wanted to keep a handle on it and it is a
lot of work with just the two schools. I have already been approached by
Ochapowace and I will be approaching Grenfell and Cowessess," she stated.

Although she has just started the course, Sutherland said the response has
been incredible.

I have done two lessons at Whitewood School and one at Broadview. At
Whitewood when I went for my second day, there were three kids missing on
the first day, and on the second day every kid was there," she explained.
They are very enthusiastic. The day after I taught my first class, I had my
parents' meeting in Whitewood and there was a very positive reaction from
the parents."

The parents explained that the kids had come home and talked about the
program and what they had learned. One important aspect of the program is
that it does open room for discussions at home and that parents must play a
supportive role.

So far, it has been very positive."

Sutherland met with parents in Broadview on January 13th and she met with
the Broadview Lions Club earlier in the week and said they had agreed to
make a donation for the local DARE program.

The success of the DARE program in the United States has been very positive
and there are statistics to back up the positive impact it has had.

A nationwide survey of DARE graduates reported that 90% of the graduates
felt that the program helped them avoid drugs and alcohol, increased their
self confidence and helped them effectively deal with peer pressure.

Of those surveyed, 94% said they used one or two of the avoidance
techniques taught through the DARE program, and 93% have reported they have
never tried marijuana, cocaine, heroin, crack or inhalants. Close to 90%
also believe that drug use is very dangerous.

Sutherland hopes to expand the program to surrounding schools in the
fall.