DARE PROGRAM GRADUATES 150

Graduation is a momentous time in the lives of most young people. Over
150 Diamond Willow and St. Augustine Grade 6 students have just
graduated from a program meant to save their lives. The DARE program
stands for drug abuse resistance education.

The DARE Program is a ten week course that is taught to the local
students by School Resource officer Perry Garrett. If you have young
kids in school in Ponoka chances are they know him as "PJ", which they
take the opportunity to yell at Garrett any chance they get when they
see him out in public. Garrett says the message from DARE is strong
but important one.

"We try and support them to continue their lives as non-users. The
kids already know a lot of reasons not to do drugs, but we provide
them with the education they need to stay that way," said Garrett. "We
educate kids about the short and long term affect of all kinds of
drugs from tobacco and caffeine all the way to the harder illicit
drugs. We teach the kids to try and use the DARE model for decision
making whenever they face a difficult situation or choice."

The model for decision making also uses the DARE acronym, define,
assess, respond, and evaluate. The students are taught various
techniques on how to best avoid, and if necessary, deal with the drug
situations they may face day to day. Students are taught how to best
handle the possible back alley drug dealer situations they might
encounter. Students are also taught about legal drugs that are
marketed directly to them. The fact that alcohol and nicotine
advertising are geared towards them is not lost on the kids.

"These kids get most of their information from internet and TV," said
Garrett. "We teach them about advertising and marketing. We ask the
kids to think for themselves about who the companies are really
targeting. The kids realize that if I'm running a tobacco company who
do I advertise to. They learn that the average age to start smoking is
12 years old."

While the DARE training is an excellent program that is provided to
all Grade 6 students, there is no follow up course during the
impressionable junior or senior high years. Garret says that is end of
the DARE information for students.

"No, this is about it unfortunately. The program ends after Grade 6,
it is all the program that the money and time will permit," said
Garrett. "It would be great to have a chance to see them later in
their schooling and have a refresher course."

As usual with any school class or activity parental support is vital
to the success of students. Garrett says the parents from this year
have been excellent.

"The DARE programs get great parental support. We get praise in return
from most of the parents too, they are truly great supporters of DARE."

Garrett, who obviously has a great rapport with the kids, says he
notices another benefit to the DARE program.

"I really feel the one on one experience between the kids and a police
officer is good for the community. It takes away from the apprehension
that may exist for kids who don't know an officer," said Garrett.
"Some kids see the uniform and have pre-conceived notions about the
police. But when we have the chance to see the kids on their turf it's
easier to develop relationships. I believe having a community full of
kids who know a police officer on a first name basis can make a world
of difference."