KIDS GRADUATE FROM DARE PROGRAM

Thanks to the commitment of a local RCMP officer, 52 students from
Webster Elementary were the area's first to graduate from the Drug
Abuse Resistance Education (DARE).

The 17-week program for Grade 5 students was taught by RCMP Const.
Brenda Marshall, and was aimed at getting kids to say "no" to drugs.

"Its object is to provide students with the skills needed to resist
peer pressure and come to peaceful conflict resolution in order to
avoid violence," Marshall said.

"(Grade 5s) are the best to reach, it's been determined. They're more
receptive. By Grade 6, they are already experimenting."

The program was helped by six J. L. Crowe Secondary students who
offered to take time with the younger kids, answer questions and
explain how they have managed to overcome peer pressure.

"That was the kids' favourite part of the course," Marshall
added.

The Crowe students had to go through a screening process to determine
their capabilities and prove they were drug-free. At the end of the
program, students received certificates and were recognized for being
DARE role models, and individually recognized for their personal
commitments to resist the pressure to become involved in drug use and
violence.

Four students were selected to read essays they had written outlining
what they had gained from the program and how they intended to stay
drug- and violence-free.

"I promise to say no to drugs and alcohol because I know how harmful
they can be tome," wrote Emily Marino. "I make this promise to myself
because it is important to respect myself first.

"I also make this promise to my friends and family because they care
for me. DARE has taught me how to resist drugs and violence and how to
stay away from them. I know that I need to make good decisions ... to
pick good friends ... to have lots of positive alternative activities
to help stay out of drugs and trouble ..."

Marshall said the program will be run again in the next school year at
Webster, and she feels it's an asset that the kids from this year's
DARE graduating class are staying at the school.

"We'll be able to see first-hand how it worked," she said. "If they
had gone to Trail Middle School, that may not have happened." The
program costs over $1,100 which includes two weeks' training for the
member in Chilliwack plus $15 per child for materials and year end
certificates.

Funding was provided by the Knights of Pythius, Teck Cominco, Village
of Warfield, City of Trail Crime Prevention Program, Kiwanis Club and
Royal Canadian Legion.

Marshall believes it's a worthwhile program.

"It means less crime down the road," she said.