DARE PROGRAM WILL BEGIN IN FEBRUARY

100 Mile children will soon be able to partake in a unique program
where they will learn how to resist peer pressures that can lead to
harmful habits.

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program is scheduled to
start up at participating elementary schools in the area in February.
The program, taught by a police officer, teaches school children how
to recognize, and resist social pressures to experiment with tobacco,
alcohol and other drugs. As well, they will learn the personal and
social consequences of drug abuse.

Cpl. Rod Wiebe, of the 100 Mile RCMP, said the program, geared to
Grade 5 and 6 students, runs for nine weeks with the officer providing
a weekly lesson.

"It truly is a program," said Wiebe. "It's not one of these one-off
things where the police come and talk about, you know, don't do drugs
- - it's bad."

Children in the program will also tackle other social issues they may
face when they enter intermediate and high school, such as bullying
and violence. At the same time they will learn to better their
self-esteem.

According to Wiebe, the program is scheduled to begin at Buffalo Creek
Elementary in mid-February, and at Mile 108 Elementary soon after. And
while it isn't mandatory, those kids who are interested in taking it
must first get written permission from their parents.

There is no cost to participate.

"We raise the money," said Wiebe. "It's funded totally by the
community. We have a charity hockey tournament each year, and we are
organizing a regional ball that will raise money for this as well.
It's strictly on donation. That's the only way we can run this program."