TAKING THE D.A.R.E.

D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a preventative program
for youths that began in Los Angeles in 1983. The program is currently
established in more than forty countries and continues to expand.

It is brought to our schools by the RCMP and presented to students in
grades 5 & 6 in an educational approach, designed to help kids
recognize and resist pressures to experiment in some risky behaviours.
It has been considered as preparation for entry into high school, a
period during which they will most likely be exposed to tobacco,
alcohol and drug use among peers.

Last year our school missed out on D.A.R.E. because a limited number
of RCMP personnel are able to offer the program. Officers must attend
a training course that prepares them to present D.A.R.E. Prior to the
arrival on Gabriola of RCMP Constable Jennifer Prunty, an Islander for
about one year now, the last person qualified to offer the program
here, in 2005, was Constable Michelle Poirier.

Constable Prunty said, "The main focus for us is to inform the kids of
the hazards in using tobacco, alcohol and drugs (more specifically,
marijuana); to show them why they should avoid these things and also
give them some tools on how to resist. But it is not limited to that.
It's also about offering a model for making healthy choices in
general, and helping the kids to recognize risky behaviour and
situations. As well, a goal of ours is to establish trust between
youth and the RCMP."

On Monday, June 18th, the ten-week course came to a close. This was
the time for celebrations, with everyone called to an assembly. Some
special additions to the event helped everyone enjoy the party.

Constable John Hughes spent some years here, but recently left
Gabriola and relocated in Victoria where he joined the Major Crimes
Unit. Constable Hughes returned to the island for this event, joining
Constable Prunty in the RCMP traditional scarlet uniform. To open the
celebrations, he led a procession from the classroom into the gym with
his bagpipes piping. As Constable Prunty stated, "John piped the kids
into the gym."

Over about an hour the twenty-six students who graduated from the
program, which required that they complete a workbook and write an
essay, performed a number of skits.

Five of the graduates read their essays to the assembly. All received
their certificates before returning to the class to share a treat
(cake-donated by Village Foods).

In a follow-up interview by the Sounder, Joan Merrifield comments,
"The kids really got into this. Essays were powerful, interaction
during role play was solid, with all kids participating and enjoying
the challenges given them. The core purpose of DARE, giving the kids
the ability to recognize situations and empowering them with the
skills to act when confronted with these issues, got through.
Constable Prunty went beyond the call, participating in events such as
the fund-raiser car-wash. She brought a warm, enthusiastic approach
and won over the children. They feel comfortable around the RCMP."

Final word goes to Arden Thorne, as paraphrased by Joan Merrifield, "I
wasn't thinking about taking drugs or anything, but I think that now I
have more skills to make healthy decisions and I know how to avoid
peer pressure."