DARE PROGRAM GETS NEW WHEELS

Wheeler Motors Donates A Vehicle To Program That Aims To Keep Kids Off Drugs

CHEBOYGAN - Students will notice a fancy new vehicle this year as the
school liaison officer rolls up to schools to teach DARE, or Drug Abuse
Resistance Education, lessons.

Wheeler Motors of Cheboygan donated a 2001 four-wheel drive Chevrolet
Blazer to the Cheboygan County Sheriff's Department to help promote the
DARE program, which was established in Cheboygan in 1988.

Wheeler Motors co-owner Spencer Libby said that it was a "no-brainer" for
Wheeler staff to donate the DARE vehicle.

"We are a family run organization, our employees have lots of children in
our local schools," said Libby. "The DARE program is so strong, it has such
an impact on our youth. We deemed this a very worthy cause."

Cheboygan County Sheriff Dale Clarmont said that all Cheboygan area schools
have DARE as a part of their cirriculum.

"DARE has been an essential intervention tool that we use to educate our
youth on the terrible negative effects of drug abuse," said Clarmont.
"Wheeler Motors, by supplying the department with this DARE vehicle, is not
only assisting the department, but they are helping stop drug abuse in the
entire community.

"This takes the financial burden off the county to support the school
liaison officer," said Clarmont. The liaison officer has used a road patrol
car in the past to travel to schools. "This helps the Sheriff's Department
tremendously."

Deputy Edward St. Pierre has been the department's school liaison officer
since 1990.

"There have been numerous times over the years that Deputy St. Pierre has
intervened prior to an issue becoming a major problem, said Clarmont.

St. Pierre said that this year, a newer 10-week program will be implemented
in the schools.

"The new cirriculum is updated and compacted into a 10-week segment. It's a
more advantageous way to present the information," said St. Pierre.

The DARE cirriculum includes various examples for students about
potentially dangerous situations, not only relating to drug use, but how to
deal with peer pressure, teasing, depression and other social situations is
included in the workbook.

One page of the DARE book lists ways for students to "say no" to illegal
drugs. The book offers ways such as saying "no thanks," the broken record
approach, walking away, changing the subject and strength in numbers.

The book also addresses some of the reasons children use drugs and asks
students to list why they chose not to use drugs.

St. Pierre said that the DARE program has always been well received in the
schools. "We've never had a problem."

Clarmont said that there are those who think the DARE program doesn't work
in light of Cheboygan's recent drug problems.

"With our current drug problem, any tool that law enforcement and the
community can use to deter children from drug use is a positive thing."