GOLDEN RCMP DARE YOUR CHILDREN

Ever wonder what your kids will dare to do these days?

These days, drugs and alcohol seem more acceptable at younger ages
than before. Golden's RCMP has been trying to educate children on the
dangers of abusing drugs and alcohol, and about making the right choices.

Constable Kate Bamber has taught more than 50 DARE (Drug Abuse
Resistance Program) courses in her career, and is wrapping up the
program in two classrooms at Lady Grey Elementary School this month.

"There are three levels of DARE - the core curriculum, which is geared
for Grade 5 students, a Grade 7 follow-up curriculum and a high school
(Grade 9) curriculum. In Golden, we are currently teaching the Grade 5
curriculum only," Bamber explains. "The main purpose of DARE is to
assist children in learning to make positive, healthy choices and take
charge of their lives.

"The relationship developed by the police officers with the children
is a wonderful benefit. The children get to see the police as regular
people and get an opportunity to meet police officers in a positive
environment."

DARE has been taught to students in Golden in the past, although
Bamber says there weren't any courses offered last year. Her
co-worker, Constable Jocelyn Foidart is teaching DARE for the first
time in a Grade 5 classroom at Nicholson Elementary School.

Nicholson students Daniel Warnock and Nikki Scott say they have
learned the effects of drugs are worse than they thought - that they
can be long-term or even permanent. They've also discovered just how
many poisons can be found in marijuana and tobacco (400 and 200
respectively).

"I think it is important to teach children the facts about drugs and
alcohol because there is a lot of misinformation out there," Bamber
says. "They hear things from their friends . . . As well, DARE is an
excellent opportunity to assist parents that are wanting to talk to
their kids about drugs, but are not sure how to go about it. I have
had many parents over the years tell me how much their child has
enjoyed DARE and how much it helped them open the door to talking to
their kids about drugs."

Bamber says she sends home an information sheet with every child after
every lesson she teaches so parents are aware of what their children
are learning in school.But she adds it is important to know that DARE
is about more than making good choices when it comes to drugs. She
says the lessons they learn could also be applied to other situations,
such as bullying.

Warnock and Scott say they have learned that if you start taking
drugs, you might get addicted. The DARE program has shown them ways to
resist temptations they might encounter.

"I think students get some valuable insight into the importance of
making healthy choices, particularly about drugs and alcohol," Bamber
says. "The drugs we focus on in Grade 5 are tobacco, marijuana and
alcohol. Studies show that children first try smoking, often at the
age of 10 and 11 years old, making Grade 5 the perfect age group for
DARE."

In addition, she says the students get to see the police office in a
positive light. In some cases, children may not have that opportunity
if the police were called to their home because of problems their
parents may be having.

"The members who teach get an opportunity to meet some awesome kids,"
Bamber says. "It is a lot of fun for both the members and the kids and
it is a very positive experience for the member. I always come out of
a DARE class with a smile on my face. As well, as a new member to the
community, it is a great way to get involved with the community."