CALL FOR D.A.R.E. PROGRAM TO BE EXPANDED

The D.A.R.E. program educating Grade 6 school children about the
dangers of drugs should be expanded immediately to classes between
Grade 8 and 10 all across Northumberland.

That was the recommendation of Janice Allen, community policing
committee chairperson in Trent Hills, when she gave her regular report
to the Trent Hills Police Services Board last week.

"The time between Grade 8 and 10 is such a critical time in a child's
life because of the peer pressure they face," said Ms. Allen, a
retired schoolteacher.

"We feel there is a very strong need for the DARE program to be
extended to Grade 8 and Grade 10. In my knowledge, nothing is being
done in the high school system about the drugs that are out there."

Ms. Allen said that she is aware that school students in this area are
experimenting with marijuana blended with crystal meths.

She criticized the system at present which does little to warn
children of the dangers of drugs but will offer to put kids through an
education program only if "you are found with drugs on you and you're
suspended from school."

The concept of D.A.R.E. was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles and has
proven so successful that it is now taught in classrooms in 43
countries around the world.

This program is geared towards teaching children life skills that will
help them to make educated decisions and avoid drug use and violence.

The D.A.R.E. program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) was introduced
to all Grade 6 classes in the OPP's jurisdiction in Northumberland
seven years ago.

But any possible expansion would ultimately raise questions of
manpower and budget, according to Inspector Doug Borton,
Northumberland OPP detachment commander.

"When you consider that the D.A.RE. officer has to cover 23 schools
all with Grade 6, any suggestion of also covering Grade 8 or 9 would
have to be discussed in detail," Insp. Borton said. "We would have to
look at addressing our resources."

He said the current program is specifically designed for Grade 6
children and different material might be needed for Grade 8 or 9 students.

"But if the request came from the municipalities, we would definitely
look at it," Insp. Borton said. "We have had very positive feedback
over the years from the program in Grade 6 and we do see some of the
benefits when those kids transfer to high school."

The current D.A.R.E. officer responsible for the whole county covered
by the OPP (excluding Port Hope and Cobourg) is Constable Jason
Dimini. But he will not be available to run the D.A.RE. classroom
sessions before the end of the year because he has to take the
training course.

"Our biggest problem we have is getting a training course to send the
officer for training and the only ones seem to be in P.E.I. or the
States," said Trent Hills OPP Sgt. Brian Blimkie.

"I can't understand why this happens," Ms. Allen said at the PSB
meeting. "Why wouldn't you train the new officer for D.A.R.E. before
the existing one is transferred away?"

Board chair David Keast weighed into the discussion: "What's wrong
with us using the proceeds of crime money (seized) for such a program?"

And Ms. Allen proposal for expanded D.A.R.E. classes received positive
support from the police board.

Board member Greg Farrant said: "Why wait until Grade 10 to counsel
them, why not get them in their very first year in high school in Grade 9?"

Mr. Farrant said there was no mandatory instruction about drugs for
Grade 9 students. "And unfortunately these kids won't wait till Grade
10 to experiment."