D.A.R.E. TEACHING KIDS TO RESIST DRUGS & VIOLENCE

D.A.R.E. is the acronym for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, the single
most widely-used substance abuse prevention and safety promotion curriculum
in the world. First developed in 1983, D.A.R.E. has undergone multiple
revisions as research findings increased knowledge of effective substance
abuse prevention among school-aged youth. There are several components to
the D.A.R.E. curriculum in-cluding the "core curriculum" for fifth or sixth
grade; visitation for kindergarten - fourth grade; a middle school/junior
high program; a senior high curriculum; and a parenting component.

D.A.R.E. Officers, and here the RCMP officer in charge of the program is
Cst. Norman Adams, live a rewarding life. Members in the program work with
youth to prevent substance abuse and violence. In turn, they sometimes have
a hand in preventing other nega-tive influences on kids' lives such as
suicide, teen pregnancy, drop-ping out of school, and/or acquiring
sexually-transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

During this past school year, Cst. Adams has been in every school in our
region. The students were given the opportunity to write their own ideas on
what the D.A.R.E. program means to them and following is the winning essay
from Brown's Flat Elementary School.

MY D.A.R.E. ESSAY by Jennifer Thompson

I feel D.A.R.E. program is a highly superior program, and should be
recommended to anyone from ages 9 to 13 or 14.

I have really enjoyed doing most of the work.

I think D.A.R.E. is a very educational program.

Constable Norm Adams has played a very important role, in helping everyone
to understand and have fun at the same time.

I have learned about consequences, peer pressure, self-esteem and more.

Consequences: the results of something you do or choose not to do. If I
said no to drugs or alcohol offers then the consequences would be good. But
if I said yes to drugs or alcohol offers then it wouldn't be so good.

Peer pressure: the four kinds are - Friendly: when someone asks if you want
drugs or alcohol, you say no, and they leave you alone.

Teasing: when someone asks you if you want drugs or alcohol, you say no
then they tease you. They might call you a big baby, or a chicken.

Indirect: when someone asks you if you want to join them later to do
something, then you might say, maybe I will, maybe I won't - I'll see what
my friends and I are doing later, then just don't show up.

Heavy: when someone asks you if you want drugs or alcohol, you say no then
they might say they won't be your friend any more.

These are the four peer pressures, and how to respond.

Self-esteem: a way you feel about yourself. If you have high self esteem
then you can resist anything. But if you have low self esteem you won't be
able to resist as easily.

I feel it is important to stay drug-free and avoid violence because I want
to be healthier. I will get a better job (I have always wanted to be an
anesthesiologist). I will get a better education, more friends, I will have
more responsibilities, and be more reliable.

Well, this is just a little why I like D.A.R.E.!

THANKS, Cst. Adams!!!