HOCKEY GAME NOVEMBER 2 TO SUPPORT D.A.R.E. PROGRAM

Camrose police officers and school teachers are hoping to hand the CFCW
Critters a loss they won't soon forget in a November 2 hockey game at Max
McLean Arena.

Face off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

"We've got a very good team of skilled and recreational players," said
Constable Chris Bennett. "I don't see how the Critters will be able to stop
us."

As well as watching the game, fans of both teams will have an opportunity
to bid on silent auction items, and enter their names for door prizes.

Money raised from both the contest and the auction will benefit the Drug
Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program, which has been operating in
Camrose since 1996.

Taught in the classroom by Constable Bennett, who is the Camrose Police
Service school resource officer, DARE's goal is to provide youth in Grades
3, 6 and 8 with the skills they need to make informed decisions about drugs
and violence, as well as to promote interaction between police officers and
students.

"The more we can let them know of the dangers at a young age, the more
likely they are to stay away from them," said Bennett.

DARE students in Grade 3 receive four lessons focusing on personal safety
and a little bit about drug awareness, while students in Grade 6 receive 17
lessons dealing with drug awareness and how to resist peer pressure and
violence. Students in Grade 8 receive ten lessons, basically reinforcing
what they learned previously.

The DARE program has maintained a high community presence over the years by
being involved with Jaywalkers' Jamboree, the Camrose Show and Shine, floor
hockey games, ice hockey tournaments and Tae-Kwon-Do championships.

"We need to hold events like this, to raise money from the community, so we
can continue to operate," said Bennett.