CST. GRANT MOVES ON AFTER DARING KIDS FOR TEN YEARS

Not all dares require a kid to lick the bottom of their shoe for three
seconds.

For the last 10 years, Constable Rose Grant has been daring kids to
deal with drugs, alcohol and tobacco responsibly.

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program is a prevention
program taught to Grade 5 students by a specially trained member of
the RCMP.

"It gives the kids knowledge to help them make good decisions," Grant
said.

To become a DARE teacher, the RCMP require a two-year commitment.
Grant has put in 10 years -- one of the longest periods for a member in
B.C.

"I have had so much fun teaching them," Grant said of her students
throughout the years.

"I enjoy it -- everything I do."

She spent five years teaching DARE in Port Alberni before transferring
to Merritt for her final five years.

Grant appreciates when her past students acknowledge her in the
streets. She was thrilled when a student told her they declined drugs
when offered four years after taking the program.

At Grant's final graduation ceremony for the students of Merritt Bench
Elementary (MBE), some DARE graduates read final essays about what
they learned in the program.

"I like the essays because they show me the students actually do
listen to what I've said," Grant said.

Some of the students talked about the effects of smoking cigarettes
such as being stinky, while others talked about simply wanting a good
life, but the common theme among students in their DARE essays was how
grateful they were for Grant.

"It was wonderful to be taught by her, but it's disappointing for next
year's students who don't get to," said Amrit Samra, 11 year-old
graduate of the DARE program and Grade 5 student of MBE.

"Hopefully the next teacher will be as good."

Grant was presented with a certificate of appreciation after the
graduation ceremonies by a special guest.

Sgt. Sharon Cooke of Drugs and Organized Crime Awareness Service
(DOCAS) in Surrey travelled to Merritt for the occasion.

Fellow RCMP members were also present.

"She's just one of those members who everyone likes," RCMP Cst. Tracy
Dunsmore said.

"We've had a lot of good feedback from teachers [about Grant]," RCMP
Cpl. Kathy Ecklund said.

Grant will be transferring to Williams Lake near the end of the
summer.

She was promoted to corporal in charge of first nation's
policing.

Although she won't be teaching it anymore, it's not the end of the
prevention program for Grade 5 students of Merritt.

Someone, yet to be determined, will take the position.

Cooke said in her presentation to Grant that prevention programs are
important because all kids will unfortunately encounter drugs and
alcohol in their lifetime.

As for Grant's students, they wouldn't dare touch the stuff.