RCMP DARES KIDS TO THINK SMART

Officer Encourages Critical Thought In Students

Peace River Record Gazette -- The RCMP Drug Abuse Resistance
Education (DARE) program has expanded to encompass both Nampa and
Cadotte Lake schools, thanks to the initiative of Community Liason
Officer Shelly Patreau.

A success among staff and students alike, for Patreau DARE is an
opportunity to pair up what she loves: law enforcement and working
with children. She began offering the DARE initiative three years ago
at Good Shepherd School, partnered with Cst. Hrynyk. Now, he handles
Good Shepherd while Patreau visits the two rural schools on her own.

"The parents were asking for DARE for a while," she explained. "So
everyone's happy about the expansion."

Last Tuesday, Patreau made her third visit to Mrs. Saliwonchuk's
grade 5/6 class in Nampa. The themes are tobacco and marijuana. The
method is far from the usual.

Patreau handed out cigarette advertisements and asked that students
analyze them.

"What are these companies trying to tell us?" she asked.

Children bent over magazines in groups of three and four, and picked
out suggestive images like a bull rider.

"Does smoking make you a better cowboy?" she asked.

In another ad, apples and icicles are hanging from a brand-name sign.

"This means 'cool'," she said, holding the sheet up for all to see.
"But really, it's just a pack of cigarettes."

Ultimately her point was clear; how and why advertisements make
substances more appealing.

Rather than lecturing, Patreau presented students with the facts. In
a workbook scenario, a character named Kevin is faced with a "cheap
cigarettes" sign and an eager buddy. Patreau challenged students to
make their own call.

"As a group, I want you to figure out the choices Kevin is faced
with," she said.

Patreau kept kids interactive at all times, using workbooks,
magazines, an overhead projector and a consistent stream of questions
for her audience. But her direct, clear manner also kept them hooked,
laughing and learning throughout.

Although a few students were dismayed that Darren, a plush lion and
the DARE Mascot, didn't come along that week for the ride, Patreau
did bring another guest from the young adult set to hear her lesson.

Ashley Martineau, a summer student from the Applied Justice Studies
Program at Mount Royal College, sat in the back to observe. "It's a
great program," she said.

Though unlike Darren, she pointed out laughing, "I'm not going to sit
on the desks."

Though the entire program is a joy for Patreau, she is especially
excited for the graduation ceremony that will take place in June.

Students who complete their lessons are rewarded for their efforts--
it is expected that even the mayor will attend.

Patreau is thrilled to be making such a difference in the community
and hopes to see the program grow.

"I want people to recognize a uniformed officer as someone they can
talk to," she said. "Someone they can trust."