DARE-ing Champs

Just four years ago, Michala Todd sat in her own classroom learning
about the dangers of using drugs, drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes.

Yesterday, the Grade 10 student stood before more than 300 Timmins
youth to explain how the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)
program made a difference in her life.

As part of the largest DARE graduation ever seen, about 350 students
from three Timmins school boards gathered at Timmins High & Vocational
School for the special ceremony.

Usually three graduations take place. But Timmins' newest DARE officer
Const. Dave Lalonde of the Timmins Police Service decided with Michala
visiting, it would be better to make it one big event.

"She's definitely up and coming with her music," Lalonde said. "But
she graduated from DARE and now she's obviously on the right track in
life and making the right decisions.

"She can be a real inspiration to all these kids, as we try and
provide them with role models."

As for Todd, who just released her first CD and is preparing for a
trip to Nashville to work on her second, she said she just hopes to
leave the students with a good message.

"It really opened me up," she said of the program. "It helped keep me
on a straight path and I knew I could do anything.

"If I can help out just one kid, it's great."

Michala started singing when she was seven and has been doing it ever
since. More recently she started working with different songwriters as
she tried to release the kind of music she was interested in.

"I want to show them they can live out their dreams," she said.
"That's basically what I am doing."

In addition to a short performance to the students during the
afternoon, Michala performed at O'Gorman High School later that evening.

Taking on the name "Drill Sergeant Dave," for his years with the
Canadian military, it was Lalonde's first year teaching the program,
which he took over from Timmins Police Const. Rick Lemieux.

"I was a little hesitant at first because I seriously didn't think I
could fill his shoes," Lalonde said of his predecessor. "But the kids
have been very welcoming.

"This is definitely the most positive thing I've done in my
career."

For Lemieux, giving up his post as DARE officer after nearly five
years, wasn't so bad. He continues to be involved as a DARE mentor,
teaching other officers.

"I still feel like I'm a part of it," he said.

"It affected me so much that DARE will be a part of me
forever.

"If I could do it for the rest of my career, I would."

Lalonde, who said he now has a new-found respect for teachers, the
decision came after years of dealing with criminals.

"This is like the breath of fresh air you need after dealing with the
other side for 10 years," he said.

Every year, the DARE program, which lasts 10 weeks, teaches thousands
of children about Drug Abuse Resistance Education. Organizers say the
program is helping students down the path of making the right decision.