MIDDLE SCHOOLS DARING TO TRY D.A.R.E.

There are positive vibes flowing at Red Deer's 10 middle schools.

For the first time, students in grades 6, 7 and 8 are receiving the benefits
of the RCMP's D.A.R.E. program, which stands for Drug Abuse Resistance
Education.

As a result, school principals and teachers say they are already seeing the
positive results for young people between the ages of 11 and 13.

"Peer pressure really sets in at that age," said Cynthia Fisher, a Grade 7
teacher at St. Francis of Assisi Middle School in Lancaster.

"I think D.A.R.E is more appropriate for those in Grade 7. They are going
through all of those things as we speak."

The D.A.R.E. program is a comprehensive prevention education program
designed to equip school children with skills to recognize and resist social
pressures to experiment with tobacco, alcohol, other drugs and violence.

For many years the D.A.R.E. program, facilitated by a uniformed RCMP
officer, has been available for Red Deer elementary school students.

This school year marks the first time the RCMP has been able to offer the
program to middle school kids in both the public and Catholic school
systems.

"These kids are more aware of what type of drugs are out there," said Jeremy
Spink, a Grade 7 science teacher at Eastview Middle School.

"Sometimes we teachers talk about drug problems but it is not the same as
when a police officer talks about it. When it does it really hits home and
makes a really strong impact.

"This is also a time when peer groups really become important in their
lives," added Spink. "They need to know how to say no."

Red Deer city RCMP Const. John Dzerdz is the inaugural head of the force's
D.A.R.E program in Red Deer's middle schools.

The 45-year-old officer has been a Mountie for almost 18 years and arrived
in Red Deer in July, 2003 after serving in High Level.

His commitment to D.A.R.E is a full-time job. To fund the program, Dzerdz
has managed to convince Southside Dodge and Key Towing to supply a 2004 Jeep
TJ Unlimited. The Co-operators has donated the insurance.

As well, the Piper Creek Optimist Club sponsors all supplies needed for the
D.A.R.E. program.

"A key link was missing. It's (D.A.R.E.) administered in a different way in
middle schools," said Dzerdz, who teaches 23 D.A.R.E. classes a week.

Each class runs up to one hour long and students are provided with a work
book.

He said the middle school program is a reinforcement of what kids learned at
the elementary school level.

What is also very important about the program is that it gives school kids a
positive and more intimate impression of police officers.

"The whole idea behind D.A.R.E is to let kids know I am a human being. When
I go home I put on jeans and relax too," said Dzerdz, who is also in charge
of the city RCMP's Cops for Kids program.

"If I am at the mall they will recognize me. I find it very rewarding that
way."

Dzerdz has become so much a part of the middle school fabric this year, at
least one school -- St. Francis -- has given him his own office.

"This is kind of his home base," said Pat Maschio, the principal at St.
Francis. "He has really attempted to connect, and is in the halls connecting
with the kids.

"I feel he has made a difference," added Maschio. "It is a vital part of
their education."

Dzerdz hopes another city RCMP officer will soon be made available to help
with the middle school D.A.R.E program.

Ultimately, he hopes to see the D.A.R.E. program expanded to high school. He
said the Red Deer city RCMP is currently trying to find the funding to send
an officer to the United States for training.

In the meantime, Dzerdz is being rewarded by the knowledge that middle
school kids are benefiting from his efforts, and already he has seen
kindness and respect shown his way, particularly after the recent tragedy
near Mayerthorpe when four Mounties were murdered in the line of duty.

"I know for myself I have received numerous cards of sympathy," said Dzerdz.

"I find students a little more calm. Overall I think they are a little more
understanding of what we have to deal with."