DARE GRADS EQUIPPED TO MAKE BETTER CHOICES

Grade 6 Students From 15 Classes And 10 Schools Marked A Milestone As They
Graduated From The Dare Program.

Grade 6 students from 15 classes and 10 schools marked a milestone as they
graduated from the DARE program.

It was a bigger event this year with three ceremonies being held at local
high schools for the graduates and their families and friends to celebrate.

"The big thing is to show kids how to deal with peer pressure and ways to
stay in charge and be confident," said Constable Rick Lemieux who teaches
the program. "I think the kids really enjoy the DARE Program. They were
really excited when I came in class, and some classes I would get a
standing ovation when I walked in."

The message Lemieux wanted to instill in the students was made apparent as
a student from each of his classes read out their pledge to remain drug free.

"I learned to say no to drugs by making smart decisions," said Nicholas
Dagenais in his pledge.

And each pledge carried the same message, reasons and ways they will stay
drug free. It was the first year Lemieux has been the DARE teacher, a move
he says is the highlight of his career so far.

"I love going to class every week," he said. "I was really sad during my
last class because I got quite close to my students."

This year was also the first of a new nine-week curriculum for the program,
which will now include a refresher course right before high school in Grade 8.

DARE Schools include:

*St. Paul School
*St. Joseph School
*Sacred Heart School
*Golden Avenue Public School
*Frank P. Krznaric Whitney Public School
*Schumacher Public School
*Earle Miller Public School
*Pinecrest Public School
*Flora MacDonald Public School
*Queen Elizabeth Public School.