A COMMUNITY OF YOUNG PEOPLE CHALLENGED WITH D.A.R.E.

One of the perks of being an elementary school senior, is being part of a
17-week D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program.

In School District 33, the 2002-2003 academic year will see 32 Grade 6
classes complete the community-sponsored program. It's been in full swing
for five years here and, starting her second year as a volunteer instructor
is Const. Donna Collins.

"It's true I never pictured myself as a police officer doing exactly this
kind of teaching," muses Const. Collins. "But public education is an
important part of police work ... and ... when it comes to the D.A.R.E.
program, I honestly believe I'm a better teacher because I'm a parent myself."

The kids touch her heart and she knows first-hand how important it is to
catch the youngsters at this impressionable age. It's the perfect time to
give them this all-important tool with which to recognize - and resist -
social pressures to experiment with tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.

"Really D.A.R.E. is about a complete lifestyle," adds Const. Collins. "It's
about more than drugs. It's about self-esteem, decision making, as well as
interpersonal and communication skills."

To help in its effort to have the students become positive members of the
community, the D.A.R.E. program is seeking sponsors from the very community
raising these children.

The Chilliwack Professional Firefighters Association was one of the first
to sign on. And there are Kiwanis, Lions, and Rotary Clubs, two
Save-On-Foods outlets, the Scotia Bank, the Area Support Unit, Baker Newby,
and a number of individuals providing the needed financial backing as well.

"We always need more sponsors," Const. Collins explains. "We figure, for
this year alone, we'll need a grand total of $10,000."

The immediate drive is to open sponsorship to every facet of the city.
Organizers are asking $250 to sponsor a class. The course actually costs
$13 per student, and a number of classes have more than 30 students each.

The financial donation helps cover the cost of the D.A.R.E. workbook along
with the accompanying D.A.R.E.-emblazoned pencil, eraser, and ruler. It
also includes the D.A.R.E. T-shirt and graduation certificate.

"Last year's kids are now in Grade 7 at Middle School," notes Const.
Collins. "They see me on the street and proudly tell me they 'haven't
touched anything.' Really though, when it comes to program effectiveness,
it's one of those things where, if you touch one child, it makes a
difference." Thankfully, the program's success is far greater than that.

During Lesson 13, D.A.R.E. students are visited by role models from middle
or high school. Generally these are students from the various leadership
classes who have remained absolutely 'clean' and who volunteer to visit the
D.A.R.E. class on their own time.

"I don't think you can get a better role model than that," announces Const.
Collins. "Some of these invited role models are truly outstanding."

And D.A.R.E. classes are not limited to the students. Parents are welcome
to attend and, by request, will be given printed outlines of each class.

"The D.A.R.E. program is structured and every class has specific things to
be taught," continues Const. Collins. "And the program's classes are
exactly the same in every country in which it's used."

The whole thing culminates with a formal graduation. The police instructors
dress in red serge. The young grads read D.A.R.E. essays, take part in
related skits, and receive their official D.A.R.E. T-shirts and
certificates - all in front of an audience of admiring parents, students,
teachers, and sponsor representatives.

And helping to keep the D.A.R.E. contract, goals and objectives before the
public and fresh in the students' minds, are the specially-marked D.A.R.E.
vehicles. The latest of three, a 2003 Dodge Ram pickup was, this month,
donated to the program by O'Connor Dodge Chrysler.

"The vehicles are a conversation piece with adults, an ice-breaker with
kids, and an outstanding way to promote awareness of the importance of the
DARE program throughout the city," concludes Const. Collins.

Inspired? To find out about becoming a sponsor for a D.A.R.E. class, call
Const. Collins or Const. Danita Gramolini at 604-702-4232.