STUDENTS ACCEPT THE DARE CHALLENGE

A total of 38 students graduated from this year's DARE program at Columbia
Park School.

The RCMP-sponsored DARE program focuses on teaching elementary students
healthy life-style choices and providing them with the skills and
information needed to resist the temptation and peer pressure to smoke,
drink, or use drugs.

"The DARE program challenges our students," said Columbia Park Principal
Jane Morris.

"It's very easy to tell our young people to say 'No' to drugs. But DARE
goes the next step by giving them the confidence and the tools to be able
to do so."

Both Revelstoke School District Superintendent Anne Cooper and RCMP Staff
Sgt. Randy Brown noted that the success of the DARE program in local
elementary schools depends on community support. They credited several
Revelstoke service clubs and businesses with helping provide support
funding for the program.

Local sponsors include the Revelstoke Masonic Lodge, Rotary Club, and Lions
Club, and McDonald's Restaurant, and local school parent advisory councils.