DARE PROGRAM RETURNS

Last week, Airdrie elementary school students graduated from a program
meant to provide the life skills necessary to avoid involvement in drugs,
gangs and violence.

The DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program which has not been
implemented in Airdrie in close to two decades, made a successful return
through a collaborative initiative from the City of Airdrie and RCMP.

The Airdrie Community Resource Unit, which was introduced to Airdrie
schools in September of 2009, has been facilitating programs with a focus
on building healthy relationships between youth and police by providing
early intervention and positive interaction. In that regard, the DARE
initiative was a natural fit.

"It teaches them to make smart choices about everything from alcohol,
tobacco, bullying, peer pressure, everything," said Const. Rob Frizzell,
at Ralph McCall School prior to the first of three graduation ceremonies
for Grade 6 students who have participated in the program.

DARE is a 10-week program that saw an RCMP member visit their class for a
one hour session once a week.

After students complete a DARE workbook provided by the RCMP, they are
asked to work on a project related to one of the program's themes.

Frizzell said the projects he has seen have ranged from posters, comic
books, and even letters to themselves post-dated 10 years later.

"They outline the effects of tobacco, and these and the reasons why I
don't want to use tobacco and these are the different things I can say if
people offer me tobacco," Frizzell said, adding that he's found it to be a
good opportunity to meet the students in a less-authoritative way.

"Normally I'll do the DARE classes and then at lunchtime we'll play
football or soccer - run around."

Frizzell said during the process he's gotten to know a lot of the students
by name.

"A lot of them call me Const. Frizz, because it's easier," he said with a
grin, adding that many of the students he's taught have seen him outside
of the school with their parents and greeted him with a friendly 'Hey
Const. Frizz.'

"It's a great medium to connect with the kids and learn about where they
are and the different pressures they're facing," Frizzell said, adding
that he's learning a lot about what ages youth begin to talk about
marijuana.

"I would say a third of them have found an understanding of marijuana, or
what it is or seen it or smelt it.

"You can't really get to them too young."

At the graduation ceremonies students receive certificates provided by the
RCMP in addition to a free pizza and juice party hosted by the school.