Source: South Peace News, The (CN AB)
Pubdate: 31 Oct 2001
Website: http://www.southpeacenews.com/
Address: P.O. Box 1000, High Prairie, Ab, T0G 1E0, Canada
Contact:  2002 South Peace News
Fax: (780)523-3039
Author: Chris Clegg

KLEIN SHOULD FUND DARE, SAYS M.D.

The Alberta government needs to recognize the value of the Drug Abuse 
Resistance Education program and fund it properly to help young children 
stay away from drugs, says the M.D. of Big Lakes.

Council gave its full support to a resolution which calls for the Klein 
government to fund the program. It will be considered at the Family and 
Community Support Services Association of Alberta conference in Jasper on 
Nov. 17.

Big Lakes Family and Community Services director Vivian Torrens wrote her 
recommendation to council for debate at its Oct. 24 meeting.

"(DARE) needs to be recognized on a provincial level as it is currently not 
being provided universally and is one of the most effective drug awareness 
programs in the province," she wrote. "Community contributions vary across 
the province and some children fall through the cracks."

Torrens added support for the DARE program in High Prairie was excellent 
and that the RCMP have never come to FCS for money. However, that does 
happen in smaller communities.

Council agreed unanimously to support the request.

The resolution was brought forward by Sturgeon County FCSS, who asked the 
Alberta government to fund a province-wide Grade 6 program.

"The DARE program is one of few formal preventive drug resistance programs 
targeted at young Albertans, and is currently offered in many 
municipalities in Alberta by local police forces as a voluntary activity of 
some members," reads Sturgeon's resolution. "The cooperation between many 
school jurisdictions and police forces in the province has provided the 
opportunity to reach children in Grade 6 for the delivery of the DARE 
program; however, the DARE program can not be provided to all children due 
to a lack of funding."

Council agreed to send two councillors and Torrens to the convention to 
support the resolution.

Another resolution being supported by council is to continue to lobby the 
Alberta government to ensure the current FCSS funding formula continues to 
be addressed. FCSS officials are worried that funding will be frozen while 
costs increase in the area of serving a rising population, the increased 
cost of doing business, the increased demand for preventive programming and 
reduction of services from other providers, to name a few.