OVER 100 STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM DARE

PARRY SOUND - Since it began here seven years ago, 1,000 elementary
students have graduated from Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)
program.

On Friday, another 151 Grade 6 students from schools across the
district graduated from the program in a special ceremony held at the
Parry Sound High School.

Surrounded by friends, family, OPP officers and local dignitaries,
students each received a diploma for their success throughout the
10-week program.

"This program was developed through a partnership between police,
educators, students, parents and community partners," said West Parry
Sound OPP Constable Kristine Dawson in her address to the crowd. "The
objective is to prevent or reduce drug abuse and violence within our
community.

Students are taught to recognize, avoid and report situations that may
endanger their personal health and safety."

Developed in 1983 in Los Angles, the DARE program began in Canada in
1993. The DARE curriculum is designed to be taught by police officers
whose training and experience gives them the background needed to
answer the sophisticated questions often posed by young students about
drugs and crime. Prior to entering the program, officers undergo 80
hours of special training in areas such as child development,
classroom management, teaching techniques, and communication skills.
Forty hours of additional training are provided to DARE instructors to
prepare them to teach the high school curriculum.

On Friday, seven students from six local schools read their essays to
the crowd.

" I t 's okay t o say no t o something that isn't right for me," said
William Beatty student Nicholas MacMillan, reading his essay about the
program and adding that he now understands the steps to make the good
choices and decisions.

Grade 6 Nobel School student Chris Heron said he learned a number of
healthy choices and a number of ways to say no to alcohol, tobacco or
drugs.

"Although the DARE program was easy, it was very enjoyable and left me
very well educated on what and what not to do when you get asked if
you want to take drugs," said Chris, reading his essay to the crowd.
"Like, if you get asked to smoke a cigarette, if you even touch the
package and the police come and see you with it even though you didn't
smoke them you would get a fine and probably get arrested too. I,
Chris Heron, pledge to stay tobacco free, drug free and only drink
alcohol responsibly and to make healthy choices.

Thank you Kristine for teaching me so many important things that will
stay with me throughout my life."