DARE TO BE

DARE to be different, DARE to be original, DARE to stand up, DARE to
speak out and DARE to be drug free. The DARE program is focused on
teaching children in Grade 6 the true facts on drugs, alcohol and how
to face these issues when they arise.

RCMP Constable Carolyn Coffin teaches the DARE program throughout the
Lewisporte Detachment area. She has been leading children in the right
direction for two years now and has had six successful graduations and
is currently preparing for another two.

"I think it is such a worthwhile program for youth, it is something
they will carry on with them for the rest of their lives," said Const.
Coffin. "It is a very well laid out program and it is very simple for
them to follow. It is basically for them to help make wise decisions."

There are a lot of misconceptions when children are learning about the
facts of drugs and alcohol. The program takes those misconceptions and
gets to the bottom of the truth and the effects of what drugs and
alcohol are.

"One of the lessons that I do is I ask the children, 'how many eight
graders smoke in the run of 30 days?' Some of them think it is a very
high number when the percentage is actually a lot lower then they are
guessing," said Const. Coffin. "The misconception is that they think
everybody is doing it."

"It is the same with drinking when in fact they are not. But if
someone comes up to them and says here have a cigarette everyone is
doing it. That's a misconception they are being taught. They are being
taught the facts and not everyone is doing it, so it is not the thing
to do."

For Const. Coffin teaching DARE is very rewarding. She is able to get
the true straight facts of drug and alcohol abuse out there to
children before they are faced with the decision to start using or not
to start using.

"Seeing the kids make decisions, learning to make healthy and wise
decisions makes it worthwhile," said Const. Coffin. "It is a valuable
tool for them that they will carry with them for the rest of their
lives."

Not only are the children that take this course learning the facts of
drugs and alcohol but the kids soak in this information and repeat it
to their families. Parents have often told Const. Coffin that they are
very appreciative for this program and helping their children face the
reality of drugs and alcohol.

"Several parents have said to me that their kid has really enjoyed the
program and brought home facts about drinking and the bad effects of
smoking," said Const. Coffin. "It is a very good program for them to
be involved in."

There are some main points of the DARE program.

One is that all the information is straight facts about drugs and
alcohol. The second is making wise decisions teaching them the DARE
decision-making model. The students are given the facts about it now
so they can have the choice to make wise decisions about being put in
situations and how to say no to drugs, regards to peer pressure to
drinking and smoking, That's the basics of DARE.

Two former graduates of the DARE program are Cody Snow and Amber
Tremelett. Both graduated from the DARE program last year and said it
has really helped them out when being faced with a decision that they
may regret for the rest of their lives.

"I learned that most people don't drink," Cody said. "When I was
younger I figured that my sister is in high school now and she was
with people who drink and do drugs. I learned with DARE that there is
a lot less people than I thought."

Amber also learned important information that she will take with her
for the rest of her life.

"I leaned that smoking and alcohol can cause a lot of different
diseases like cancer," she said. "It is really bad for you. Some
people say it to people who smoke just because they don't like it, but
it really is bad for your health and you shouldn't do it."

Const. Coffin said she really enjoys doing this program and seeing
that the kids really enjoy it makes me want to do it more.

"Just knowing that I have been able to help these children and being
involved in their lives and in their school and helping them to make
wise decisions is a personal accomplishment and whatever I can help
them with I will," said Const. Coffin. "It makes my job worthwhile,
knowing these kids enjoy having me come into their school and having
fun with DARE and having fun teaching them how to make the wise
decision about drugs."

Amber and Cody both agree that the DARE program should be taught to
all children because they will be able to carry this with them and be
able to make wise and healthy decision.

"Now I know what it can do to your body and I know why it can hurt
you," said Amber. "I now know the facts. I would recommend it to other
students because you can learn a lot of stuff about cigarettes and
what is in them."

"There is a lot of stuff that we wouldn't have known unless we did
this program and it was a fun way to learn it," said Cody. "I can make
wiser decisions after the DARE program. Peer pressure isn't as bad. We
are building up on that stuff now in health class."

In April there is a national DARE conference in Niagara Falls and
Const. Coffin as one of the top DARE instructors in the province will
be attending this conference.

Const. Coffin extended appreciation to the schools and parents for
supporting the program and the Kinsmen Club of Notre Dame for being
their sponsor.