Pubdate: Mon, 30 Jul 2001
Source: The North Thompson Star/Journal (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 The North Thompson Star/Journal
Contact:  http://www.starjournal.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1231
Author: Const. Jeff Swann

PROGRAM HAS STRONG SUPPORT

The editor:

At a recent Community Consultative Group meeting held at the Barriere RCMP 
Detachment I advised the group's members that our DARE (Drug Abuse 
Resistance Education) project needed an increase in funds in order to have 
the program in place for the next school year.

Well, I would like to report that the community response to this much 
needed program has been overwhelming. Our bank account in the past two 
months has grown considerably and with the future efforts of more community 
members, this program will be here to stay.

I can say without any hesitation that the benefits of this program will 
affect every citizen of Barriere. At its heart, the program is designed to 
equip elementary school children with the necessary skills to recognize and 
resist social pressures to experiment with tobacco, alcohol and other 
drugs. Many people believe that a change in public attitudes toward drugs 
will reduce their use. DARE seeks to promote this change and instills 
proper decision-making capabilities in children, skills they can apply to 
all facets of their life.

This program helps kids develop confidence, self-esteem and interpersonal 
skills, and reduces instances of violence and peer pressure.

It is our goal, the goal of the Barriere community, to teach this program 
to every Grade 5 student, with follow-up lessons to be provided every two 
years. One such Grade 5 student truly believed in the value of this program 
so much that at the recent mud bog races he devoted his time to picking up 
bottles and cans to be donated back to the DARE program. Adrian Dobson 
could have kept the money for himself, however he donated over $80 back to 
the program. When a student as young as Adrian does something so mature and 
responsible, it makes all of the efforts worthwhile.

Speaking of efforts, that same weekend Mike Dewey of Boulder Mountain 
Contracting donated $700 back to the DARE program and CrimeStoppers. He 
worked the entire weekend as a first aid respondent and could have kept the 
funds for all of his costs incurred. However he chose to give back in a 
huge way. It would take me about 20 such letters to the editor to express 
my gratitude for all the community support, however I'll leave it at these 
two and examples of personal commitment to a worthwhile cause.

To all those who believe in this program and chose to help make our 
community a safer place in which to live: You have my utmost respect and 
gratitude.

Our next fund-raiser is the upcoming 911 Golf Tournament, where the 
proceeds will again go back to DARE and CrimeStoppers. Please come out and 
enjoy the fun, Sunday, Aug. 12.

Looking forward to the DARE graduation of 2002 - Const. Jeff Swann Barriere 
RCMP Detachment
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens