HPE STUDENTS DARE TO SAY NO TO DRUGS

Teaching programs to help children make healthy choices about life received
commendations from a High Prairie elementary school parent during the
school's fifth Drug Abuse Resistance Education graduation March 27.

Greg Nesom spoke on behalf of the parents saying the changes in curriculum
to include teaching programs like DARE are valuable.

"That's a good start," he said referring to teaching lessons about real life.

All students in the Grade 6 classes taught by Brenda Coulombe, Joanne
Murphy and Dorothy Sloan received their DARE certificates.

HPE principal Tom Hartman thanked the teachers and RCMP constables Micole
Dawood, Neville Dawood and Mike Numan who taught the program.

"DARE is one tool we can provide our young people to deal with today's
problems," said Hartman. "By working together we can provide good instruction."

Those attending heard students began the program on Nov. 14. Students were
instructed in subjects including the dangers of drugs, peer pressure,
self-esteem, evaluation and decision making.

Each of the classes performed a short skit to help drive home the message.
The audience also heard students give their award-winning essays. Alex
Olson said drugs led to a criminal record that would lead to going nowhere
in life.

"Kids can make good decisions," he said.

He promised to be drug-free and not be influenced by people who do drugs.

High Prairie Mayor John Brodrick told the students that he was a smoker for
35 years before quitting. He told the students in today's dollars that
amounted to $105 a week or five CDs. Or, he later said, $191,000 over all
the years he smoked.

Leith Frieson's essay urged children to take a stand.

"People who get involved in drugs and alcohol have no life," he said. "They
eventually get tracked down and spend their life in prison.

"That's not the life for me. I will stay away from places and people who do
drugs.

"I will never do drugs and alcohol. I'm no loser," he concluded.

Jenna Younghans told students in her essay she learned how to say no.

"I want to be a leader, not a follower," she said.

She added DARE taught her to be responsible for her actions and decisions.

"Drugs bring me down," she said adding saying no to drugs is a lifelong skill.

"I keep my promises."

Students in each class were given small teddy bears as rewards for writing
the best essays in their class. Younghans, Olson, Jessica Collett and
Friesen were the winners.

Students were also given big teddy bears as a reward for being the best
student in their respective class. Lacy Johnson, Michelle Przybilla and
Erin Cox were the winners although it was agreed all students were winners
for completing the course.

DARE instructors Const. Mike Numan and Const. Neville Dawood attended the
ceremony along with S/Sgt. Dan McNaughton. The other DARE instructor,
Nicole Dawood, was unable to attend.