DARE MAKES PITCH TO FOOTHILLS MD

Representatives from the DARE Works Society met with Foothills MD
council last week to thank them for the municipality's ongoing support.

The local DARE program is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year
and Cst. Krista Woods, DARE officer, and society president Wayne
Meikle visited with council to give them an update and an overview of
the program.

DARE is funded through a partnership of local municipalities,
including the MD of Foothills, and the Foothills School Division.
However, one of the questions being raised by some of the partners is
whether or not the DARE program needs an RCMP officer overseeing the
program. The argument is it would be cheaper if a retired RCMP or even
a peace officer was used to run the program instead.

However, Woods, who is in her second year as the designated DARE
officer, said an RCMP officer brings a special set of skills to the
program others could not.

"The big thing for most of these kids is they have never seen an RCMP
in a positive atmosphere before," explained Woods. "The rapport that
has been built between myself and the students is quite something.

"Anyone who goes in to teach the DARE curriculum other than an RCMP
officer would not have the same stories and experiences to share and
that is what has the impact."

The RCMP officer costs the DARE program about $84,000 per year and
Meikle said it is money well spent.

"We need to have the RCMP in the schools and we need people to believe
in the RCMP and build that trust in the RCMP," said Meikle.

The DARE program is offered to every Grade 6 and Grade 8 student in
the Foothills School Division. In addition, Woods is now offering
parent programs that deal with identifying risk factors, helpful tips
in dealing with drugs and alcohol as well as cyberbullying and
internet safety.

"There are very few programs where everyone in the community comes
together to teach our youth," said Meikle.