DAREWORKS! GIVEN PROVINCIAL APPROVAL

The local DAREWorks! Society found out this week has been given a stamp of
approval from a provincial committee who reviewed the program earlier this
year.

A committee struck by the Ministry of Learning declared, in a report
released in June, that schools are free to supplement their health and life
skills curriculum with DARE programs.

However, the province has not said they will fund DARE programs.

DAREWorks! executive director Lori Czerwinski said she is pleased with the
outcome of the committees review of the program.

'This is good news,' Czerwinski said. 'We have been recognized as a viable
program.'

DAREWorks! offers in-class instruction for Grade 6 classes on resisting peer
pressure by building self-esteem in order to help students have the tools
needed to stay away from bullying and harmful drug use.

The education program is taught by RCMP Cst. Geoff Carpenter throughout the
Foothills School Division (FSD).

'I think schools like our program because a specialist comes in to teach it
so the message stays consistent,' Czerwinski said.

Recently Carpenter started teaching a refresher course for Grade 8 FSD
students.

Czerwinski said the government approval is a good first step in building a
relationship between the province and DARE programs.