CHANGES EXPECTED FOR DARE

The DARE program is becoming addictive to Ontario Provincial Police
detachments and the fever is now spreading across the country.

Paul Harrison, DARE regional coordinator for the Northeast Region, has just
returned from Iqualuit, Nunavut where he conducted a training seminar for
some 12 RCMP officers. The program has also generated interest in several
other provinces, including Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba.

"DARE program officers provide youth with the information they'll need to
make the right choices when they are faced with the issue of drugs and
alcohol," Harrison said. "Currently, there are 40 OPP officers in the
Northeast region trained to conduct the program, with another six expected
in April.

"The willingness to receive training in Nunavut shows the determination of
the police force there, because the dozen officers that participated were
required to raise their own money to pay for the course, and also to pay
for their own lodging. This is also a place where people are getting around
on snowmobiles and dog sleds and this program is tailor-made for officers
living in rural Canada, where they usually live within the community. The
enthusiasm of the community and of the parents was very encouraging because
they play an important role in their child's decision."

Those RCMP officials, along with all other police officers trained, are
required to go through an intense two-week training course in order to
become qualified as DARE officers. However, Harrison said that all the hard
work and effort is well worth it in the end once the positive results are seen.

"DARE Day is a big occasion for the students, they tend to form a real bond
with the officers," he said. "It's a great feeling to know we have this
kind of impact on youth and seeing them smile and wave as a police officer
drives by in a car."

All this training, he added, is going on at a time when there are going to
be several changes made to the DARE program itself, and how it will be
taught within the schools. Instead of the 17-week course currently taught,
the program will be cut down to nine weeks and Harrison is hoping that
nothing will be lost when that happens.

"We're taking a fresher approach to the program, and this is going to put
the onus on the student to do their work and learn more effectively," he
explained.

The program will be split into four different components. The first will
provide lessons geared toward anti-smoking, the second will focus on
anti-drugs and alcohol, and the third will be anti-violence or bullying. In
the last lesson, DARE officers will be giving the student the information
they'll need to go into younger classes and become the presenter of the
program.

"We expect these changes to take effect by September 2004," Harrison added.
"We're going to have to retrain all the officers." No easy feat considering
the fact that it costs an estimated $50,000 a year to train officers for
their DARE duties, and that's in the Northeast region alone.

"We try to offer the program in every detachment region in both English and
French. However, funding from the Toronto Maple Leaf Alumni Association and
NorTel Mobility help offset a large portion of the costs involved.