CARPENTER BUILT A BOND WITH STUDENTS

DARE Instructor Resigns

The Foothills DARE constable is taking some of the advice he's been
teaching students for the past seven years -- he's talked to his
family and he's carefully thought things out before coming to a
decision that will affect his life.

Const. Geoff Carpenter has resigned as a full-time DARE (Drug Abuse
Resistance Education) constable-instructor in order to head up bylaw
enforcement with the M.D. of Foothills.

"It's just my time to move on," said the 49-year-old Carpenter, who
has been a DARE instructor for seven years. "I thought this would be a
good time to retire from the RCMP."

The DARE program has an enforcement officer discussing with students
how to make decisions -- ranging from the use of drugs and alcohol, to
handling peer pressure and how to treat their peers and community with
respect.

Carpenter saw being a DARE instructor as being proactive rather than
being reactive.

"I always felt I had a connection with youth -- I had a passion for
going in that direction (helping youth)," he said. "In my previous
years with the RCMP, my work was reactive. I dealt with child abuse,
child abductions -- I wanted to do something that was more positive."

He said one of the most positive aspects of the DARE program is how he
- -- and other DARE officers -- have bonded with youths, beyond being a
cop on the beat.

He said he's been approached by his former DARE students, several of
whom have now graduated from high school, who have come up to talk
about personal problems, maybe criminal activity in the community or
just to say hello and chat.

He added DARE is a tool in helping youths with decision
making.

"DARE is just one part of helping kids make good decisions -- there's
also their peers, teachers and parents," Carpenter said. "We are just
one part of the chemistry." He said ultimately it is the youth who
makes a decision when dealing with issues.

Carpenter said one of the highlights of his career was helping to
establish the Grade 8 DARE program in the Foothills as well as the
parents program.

Now he'll be sinking his teeth into issues like the M.D. of Foothills
dog bylaws, noise issues and others.

Carpenter starts his position as senior bylaw enforcement officer May.
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The new Foothills DARE co-ordinator is Const. Krista Woods.