MORE TO DARE THAN JUST SAY NO TO DRUGS

A program that brings police officers into the classroom consists of
more than a Just Say No to Drugs campaign, one of the lecturers says.

"Most of the lessons are life skills for the kids," Const. Tracy Lewis
said in an interview.

DARE, or Drug Abuse Resistance Education, is being brought to eight
Grade 6 classes at one Catholic and five public schools in Thunder
Bay. A joint effort of the two city school boards, parents and Thunder
Bay Police, the program offers information and tips on how kids can
live drug- and violence-free lives.

"It's actually (teaching) prevention of abusing drugs, alcohol and
tobacco," Lewis said.

Lewis and Const. Julie Tilbury are leading the program for the first
time this semester. The third officer, Const. Keri Lefave, has been
teaching it for a year.

Begun in Los Angeles in 1983, the program helps participants develop
the willpower to refuse offers of drugs and alcohol, and includes
options on how to deal with peer pressure and how to solve problems
without resorting to violence.

Nearly 250 students are involved. An information session for parents
took place last week and students took home information packages that
included a consent form.

"We've never had anyone say no," Lewis said of the
participation.

Lewis said the target audience of 10- and 11-year-olds has been
determined by studies.

"The ages they've chosen is because sometimes they find if you wait
until Grade 7 it's too late. They've already been curious to try some
of these things," she said.

There is no cost to parents, but funds are needed to buy course
materials, for example. Money for DARE is raised in the community and
supporters are the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, Paterson
Foundation, Downtown Volkswagen and The Chronicle-Journal. Lewis said
more sponsors are wanted.