HELPING KIDS MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS

DARE Programs Continue To Make A Mark In Community

In 1996 there were over 36 million children involved in the D.A.R.E.
program worldwide, and today a small portion of those children are
located here in High Prairie.

Local children who are educated through the Drug Abuse Resistance
Education program, gain not the knowledge about drugs and their
affects but also have a chance to improve their self-esteem.

"(D.A.R.E.) it has definitely helped my self-esteem," says Alexander
Marzotko, adding he feels he can approach people he cares about. "My
uncle used to smoke and I hated it. I wanted to go up to him and say
I don't want you to smoke, I don't like it."

Aside from learning how to say no, DARE has also taught the grade 6s
at Saint Andrews how to help friends.

"From what I thought drugs and alcohol were I have learned they are
way worse. I definitely will not take them and I will say no if
someone asks me," says Marzotko. "(If I saw my friends doing them) I
would tell them no to take it and if they still do I would pick a
different group of friends."

Jennifer Norgaard, 6B teacher at St. Andrews, agrees with Marzotko
saying the program teaches her class life lessons.

"I find it good they learn about things that are dangerous for them
and situations that might hurt them," adds Norgaard. "This program
looks at what they are good at and builds their self-esteem."

She hopes through this program the children in her class will develop
their values so they can make good life choices.

D.A.R.E., which was first established in 1983 in Los Angeles, is now
in more than 54 countries around the world and gives kids the skills
they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence, is a
series of officer-led classroom sessions.

In High Prairie Constable Shawn Walker is responsible for molding the
young minds of our community.

"There are many RCMP communities where DARE has lost its footing
because of lack of man power and over worked files. That almost
happened in High Prairie, but the Staff Sergeant and other officers
are strong supporters of the programs," says Const. Walker.

During the March 2 session at St Andrew's Const. Walker stepped
outside the regular curriculum to teach his pupils more extensively.

Using encouragement, Const. Walker taught the kids what drugs like
cocaine, methamphetamines, alcohol, and inhalants could do to their bodies.

"Decisions Decisions Decisions. You guys are doing a great job. You
are half way to Grade 12, and the choices you have made has gotten
you this far," says Const. Walker to his listeners. "What you have
done up until now . . . has made you amazing smart kids. I admire
you. That is why you have to stay off that garbage."

Const. Walker says what the kids get out of the program is directly
influenced by the strength of the instructor and what the kids take
from each lesson.

"Most of my DARE kids have said they will never do this and they
never have," says Const. Walker.

Walker gave the kids some examples of cases of drug users he has
dealt with, as well as facts about drugs.

He says there is an 80-90 per cent chance a person will be addicted
to methamphetamines with first use and they are hooked by the second.

"They are caught like they are like a fish on a hook. They think it
is what they need, that's what their brain tells them and nothing
else matters," Const. Walker continues to say. "Methamphetamines are
worse than cocaine and cocaine is one of the worst."

For information about DARE or drug awareness contact Const. Walker at 523-3370.