FIRST DARE PROGRAM IN SIOUX LOOKOUT RATED A++

THEY spent one hour a week for ten weeks learning about drugs,
alcohol, tobacco and peer pressure and they say the experience has
changed their lives.

On June 14 at Sioux Mountain Public School, Grade 6 students from
that school and Sacred Heart School were participants in a special
ceremony marking their graduation from the Drug Abuse Resistance
Education (DARE) program.

This was the first year the program has ever been offered in Sioux Lookout.

Through the program, Sioux Lookout OPP Community Services Officer
Mark Gaudet visited both schools to talk with Grade 6 students about
drugs, alcohol, tobacco and peer pressure. But rather than telling
students they were not to use any of these substances, he instead
educated the students about them and what they do to your body and
let the students draw their own conclusions with the assistance of a
special decision making model. The model define, access, respond and
evaluate was a constant in the program.

Students also worked through various scenarios in regard to these
substances and conducted some role playing exercises.

On graduation day teachers and principals were recognized, as well as
sponsors of the program.

Students showcased some skits, then four students whose essays
written at the end of the program were judged to be exemplary read
them to everyone in attendance.

In their essays, Harrison Hoey, Yassin Elsir, Mike Rose and Isaac
Giles spoke about what they had learned from the DARE program and how
it had changed their lives.

On their last day in class with Gaudet, students were asked to vote
for a student they thought did an outstanding job in the program.
Landon Bowen from Sacred Heart School and Yassin Elsir from Sioux
Mountain Public School were recognized at the graduation.

Certificates were then presented to all graduating students.

Some students in the program from both schools did not graduate.

Students who became involved with violence, drugs, alcohol or tobacco
during the program were not eligible to graduate.

Refreshments were served, courtesy of Johnny's Fresh Market.

Based on the feedback he has received from students and teachers
Gaudet felt the program went well and he expects the knowledge gained
by students to serve them well throughout their lives.

The program replaced the Values, Influences and Peers program.

There is no comparison between the two programs, Gaudet said, as the
DARE program is kept up to date and is extremely well organized.

Gaudet would like to expand the program now for Grade 3 students and
offer a similar program to Grade 10 students.

In order to expand the program, he'd like other officers to receive training.

The four major sponsors of the program in Sioux Lookout have been the
Sioux Lookout- Hudson Community Policing Committee, Home Hardware,
Johnny's Fresh Market and the Lions Club.

Norcom Cable and the Northern Lights Credit Union have also offered assistance.

To get additional officers trained and pay for supplies for the
Grades 3 and 10 classes, Gaudet is looking for additional support
from the community, especially now as the community policing
committee will no longer be able to offer as much assistance as in the past.

"What had happened was the CPC didn't realize they were ineligible
for a lottery licence and another group in town had sent in a list
(to Queen's Park) of people that had lottery licences," explained Gaudet.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario then phoned to say the
community policing committee is not able to have a lottery licence.
This has resulted in about $2500 being cut from the DARE program.

Gaudet did say that with the current sponsors of the program he can
continue to run the course with Grade 6 students.

Johnny's Fresh Market owner/manager Bob Michieli commented, "I think
it's absolutely important for the youth of the community. I think the
fact that we're helping the kids, starting them off on the right
foot, all the people in the community that are our customers, those
customers have children, those are the children that we kind of have
a way to give back to."

Home Hardware owner Tom Nebbs commented, "Me and all my staff, well
when it comes to anything we can do for the kids that's where we want
to be and when I see the participation that these students have put
in and Mark Gaudet, one of the best things I've put my money into in
this town ever. This is a great town and this is a great program."

SMPS student Justina Carpenter said it was great to learn more about
drugs, alcohol and tobacco to help her make smart choices.

SMPS student Yassin Elsir commented of the program, "I liked it. I
really thought it was important, especially some of the things he
(Gaudet) did with us. I found out just how dangerous a lot of these
drugs can be."

SHS student Stevie Dow stated, "I'd like to thank Constable Gaudet
for teaching us all the different things that will help us make
better choices in our lives.

It was good to know the facts that you were learning were true and
you could use in your later life."

SHS student Robert Kottschoth said the way Gaudet taught the program
was right on track. "If we know what it will do we will know we
shouldn't take it and that's the reason that he told us what they do.
It was way better than him saying don't do it."

SMPS Grade 6 teacher Mrs. Krista Tracy-Gould commented, "I thought it
was an excellent program. I felt the kids learned a lot from it and
it was very beneficial to their future, helping them make the right
decisions about not using drugs and alcohol or smoking."

She praised Gaudet for the way he interacted with her students. "He
was excellent with the kids. He has a good rapport with them, and he
could relate to them."

She said her students needed to hear what Gaudet had to say. "They
need to know it now because even at this age they're exposed to
drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, so I think it's important, a good age to
teach them."

SHS Grade 6 teacher Mrs. Kristi Hildebrand was also impressed by how
well Gaudet worked with her students. "The students responded really
well to him and I think that they got a really positive picture of
law enforcement in the community and I think that they really see him
as a role model."

She agreed with Tracy-Gould that Grade 6 students can definitely
benefit from the DARE program. "I think that most people would be
shocked by how much they already know about it. They see a lot of
portrayals in the media, especially smoking and alcohol, as things
people do for enjoyment and maybe even less so drugs. I think they're
at an age where they are just starting to be exposed to those things
and it's really important now that they understand the negatives as
they get so many positive messages about these substances and I think
it's very surprising how much they know about it already."

SMPS Principal Michael Boos, who addressed those gathered for the
graduation, said he's pleased the DARE program is offered to his
students. "All the kids participating in the DARE program are gaining
the knowledge and wisdom they need to help them make the right
choices for themselves now and in the future."

Anyone who would like to sponsor or find out more about the DARE
program can contact Gaudet at 737-2020.

Page 7

Student essays from the D.A.R.E. program

D.A.R.E. Report

By Yassin Elsir

During my drug abuse resistance education (D.A.R.E.) I learned about
the D.A.R.E. decision making model (define, assess, respond,
evaluate). I learned many facts about alcohol and tobacco. I learned
many ways to say no to drugs. Constable Gaudet also taught us about
peer pressure, good and bad peer pressure, and about the D.A.R.E.
rules which should apply to school too, not just D.A.R.E.

The D.A.R.E. decision making model: define, assess, respond, evaluate.

Define: You should figure out exactly what the problem, challenge or
opportunity is and the factors creating the problem, challenge or opportunity.

Assess: What exactly are your choices? Will they harm you, others or
break your parents rules? Are they good choices or bad choices?

Respond: Make your choice but carefully think about your choice and
its consequences.

Evaluate: Was your choice the right one? Review your decision.

D.A.R.E. Rules

Number 1: Raise your hand so that only one person speaks at a time.

Number 2: Be positive and respectful. A put-down (a name or phrase
intending to hurt someone's feelings) can hurt feelings.

Number 3: Observe and use the quiet signal (raise your hand).

Number 4: Use the words "someone I know" instead of a name when
telling a story.

Number 5: Answer only the questions that feel comfortable to you.

Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is when someone your age or grade pressures you to do
something you don't want to do. Peer pressure can be good or bad
depending on the situation. If the person is pressuring you to do
something bad or harmful then it is bad peer pressure. Good peer
pressure is when a peer is pressuring you to do something good or
healthy; something that helps you in a good way.

Tobacco

Tobacco can be chewed or smoked (cigarette) by someone 19 or older
(21 in the U.S.A.). Some diseases you can get from tobacco are lung
cancer, mouth cancer, kidney cancer, throat cancer and bladder
cancer. Some tobacco facts: There are 200 known poisons in tobacco
smoke. Cigarettes contain nicotine, a powerfully addictive drug.
Smoking is the number one cause of PREVENTABLE death in Canada, with
32,000 Canadians a year dying. 11.7 per cent of Grade 8s smoke so
when someone tells you everyone does don't believe them.

Alcohol

Alcohol is illegal to anyone under the age of 19. Alcohol slows down
the brain and body (loss of coordination, poor judgement, slowed
reflexes, memory lapses, loss of self control and slurred speech).
Alcohol can damage every organ in your body. If you are with others
who are drinking there is an increased chance of accidents (accidents
such as drunk driving).

During D.A.R.E. I learned many facts about drugs, alcohol and peer
pressure but I also learned how to deal with peer pressure and
situations when someone is pressuring me to do something I don't want to do.

I hereby pledge to use the knowledge I have learned for my own good
and to stay drug free for the rest of my life.

D.A.R.E. IS SAFETY SAFETY IS D.A.R.E.!!!!!!

By Harrison Hoey

I have learned that it is not cool to do drugs or smoke or drink
alcohol. I have also learned how to say NO and why to say NO. I have
learned what drugs, alcohol and smoking really do to you. I will
never smoke or do drugs ever in my life because I want to be an NHL
hockey player and I need a healthy body and mind.

D.A.R.E. had a huge impact on me because I wanted to know what it
does to you and why it is bad for you. I know that smoking makes your
teeth yellow, gives you wrinkles, bad breath, bad hygiene and yellow
fingertips. It also causes cancer, heart attacks, and plugs your
arteries. My dad smokes and I hope that he quits soon. I want to be
just like my dad except that I won't smoke. I think that most people
smoke because they want to imitate someone else and be cool. Some
movies and TV shows are a bad influence on young people, because the
cool guys always smoke and drink.

I have learned how to say NO and why I should say NO when someone
asks me to smoke or have alcohol. It is easy to do when you know how
badly they affect your body and mind. Constable Gaudet told us that
if you drink or do drugs, you should never drive. You are more likely
to have an accident, hurt or kill someone and then you would be sorry forever.

I will never do drugs or smoke because I want to be healthy and I
want to become a hockey player when I grow up. I will probably have a
few drinks when I am grown up, but I will never drink too much. That
is just plain stupid.!!!!!

Page 10 -

Student essay from the D.A.R.E. program

My name is Mike Rose. I have learned a lot of things in the DARE
program. I learned about making the right choices. I learned about
the decision making model, and I learned about the facts of tobacco,
marijuana, and alcohol.

In DARE I learned to Define (Describe the problem, challenge or
opportunity.), Assess (What are your choices?), Respond (Make a
choice. Use the facts and information you have gathered.), and
Evaluate (Review your decision. Did you make a good choice?).

Student essay from the D.A.R.E. program

I learned that tobacco affects your brain, your mouth and throat,
your lungs and your heart and liver. I learned that smokers have more
colds and upper respiratory problems. I learned that there are over
200 known poisons in cigarette smoke. And I learned that smoking is
the leading preventable cause of death in this country.

I learned that smoking marijuana causes breathing problems. I learned
that marijuana affects your brain, your mouth and throat, your lungs
and your heart and liver. I learned that there is more tar in
marijuana smoke than in tobacco smoke. And I learned that marijuana
smoke contains 50 per cent to 70 per cent more of some cancer causing
chemicals than tobacco smoke. I learned that alcohol affects your
brain, your heart and liver. I learned that too much alcohol can slow
down the body and lead to coma and death. I learned that alcohol can
damage every organ in your body. And I learned that mixing alcohol
with medicine is dangerous. In conclusion, I have learned many skills
in the DARE program. I learned that there are different kinds of peer
pressure through role-playing and that it is important to ignore
negative peer pressure. I learned to say no and walk away. I now
understand the importance of staying drug free and violence free.

I am committed to making wise decisions about alcohol, tobacco, and
other drugs. Also, I pledge to avoid situations involving violence.