DARE TO GET NEW EQUIPMENT

The DARE program is going to get a new laptop and projector, thanks to
generous support from the Town of Vermilion, the County of Vermilion River,
and the Rotary Club.

Vermilion Standard - The DARE program is going to get a new laptop and
projector, thanks to generous support from the Town of Vermilion, the
County of Vermilion River, and the Rotary Club.

The contributors to the program see it as a worthwhile cause.

"We see the program as educational and preventative with the kids learning
more about drug and alcohol awareness and how to handle peer pressure, and
what happens when you use those substances," says Carol Coleman, Family and
Community Support Services Coordinator, who acts as a go-between for the
Town of Vermilion and the various community groups.

"It's really great to get the RCMP in the school system so that those kids
can identify with them and see them as them as not always the bad guys, but
the ones to talk to," says Coleman. "The board believes that there is some
impact."

County of Vermilion River Reeve Don Whittaker agrees.

"We believe in the DARE program. We see the benefit of the officers going
into the schools and dealing with the drug issues. Certainly, it's of value
to the young people to interact with the police and to learn about
substance abuse and being personally responsible for your own well being is
an important part of the responsibility they have," said Whittaker.

"What we're trying to do is modernize or digitize the DARE program," says
Cst. Rob Rubuliak of the Vermilion RCMP.

The new equipment will make the program more portable. Previously, the RCMP
had to use overheads, flip charts, and big plastic cases of sheets. Now,
instead of writing on blackboards, they will be able to put it all on the
new laptop in PowerPoint.

Rubuliak feels the modern approach will grab the attention of youth more
effectively than the old, inefficient method.

DARE is always looking for funding from corporate partnerships or community
groups.

"Community groups in town who are interested in DARE will be recognized."

DARE is a Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, "but it's very little
about actual drugs. There's a DARE box, and the kids can put in questions
anonymously to me, say what is marijuana, what is cocaine, and I'll answer
those," says Rubuliak.

"The actual program itself compliments the health curriculum in schools and
it deals with a lot of the supports that allow the kids to say no and
choose a positive lifestyle."

The program covers peer pressure, assertiveness rather than being passive
or agressive, friendship choices self esteem.

"From our perspective, they're getting the message from a police officer,
it's sort of a different angle for the kids. We're building on what the
schools are already teaching them, and we're giving them that slant about
the drugs, and the drugs obviously include cigarettes and alcohol."

Rubuliak feels that the cigarettes and alcohol aspects of the program are
important because many young people are exposed to those drugs at home. "We
ultimately give them the power to say no to those types of things."

The program includes a section on media influence and advertising. Youth
are bombarded with beer commercials and tobacco company advertising.

"It's very little with the drugs, but they are exposed. We have a drug
board and they can ask the questions. The popular misconception is that
we're going in there talking about drugs."

The program focuses more on building self-esteem, so that youth don't feel
the need to turn to drugs and alcohol.

"We kick the feet out from under the drugs," says Rubuliak. "We explain,
this is what you're going to see, this is the actual drug, and these are
the real effects of it. We de-mystify the drug."

"Most of it is about lifestyle choices," explains Rubuliak.