FIRST CLASS TAKES DARE

One little boy wants to make the NHL. A little girl wants to be a
politician, and maybe even prime minister.

Several of the children want to be positive role models for their
little brothers and sisters.

All of them want to have successful careers and be good
people.

That's why the students in Carole Roberts's grade five class at
Langley Meadows Elementary School have made a promise to be drug-free.

The class is one of many that will be graduating next week from the
first full-time DARE program in Canada.

In the past, Langley RCMP officers have offered Drug Awareness
Resistance Education to local children on a casual basis, but this
year it has been made it part of Langley's school curriculum.

The 17-week sessions, which deal with substance abuse, violence,
bullying, and self esteem, are being provided to all grade five
students in Langley's public schools.

"Grade five is a great age," said Cst. Dale Kendall, one of three
Langley police officers who are teaching the DARE program at local
schools. "They are still impressionable, but very aware that there are
drugs out there, of criminal activity and social issues."

The schools that started the course in September are graduating from
DARE next week, and the second batch of schools will begin training in
early February.

The program, which is part of the grade five subject called personal
planning, uses interactive techniques such as roll playing, as well as
work book assignments and presentations by the DARE officers to teach
kids about the dangers of drug and alcohol, and the effect such
substances can have on their future.

The 10-year-olds taking DARE talk of alternatives to doing drugs, such
as being involved in sports and community activities, and have learned
eight different ways to say no to drugs.

DARE also shows kids how to avoid peer pressure, to stay away from
gangs, and to respect themselves and others.

"A child needs to have self-confidence, self-esteem to say no to
drugs," said Kendall.

"They need the tools."

The cost of offering DARE is $10 per student, to cover the price of
materials. At some schools, families have come up with the money
themselves. At others, fundraising has been done.

Kendall is hoping that corporate sponsors will come forward to help
fund the Drug Awareness Resistance Education program.