Pubdate: Wed, 07 Feb 2001 Source: Grand Forks Gazette (CN BC) Copyright: 2001 Sterling Newspapers Contact: Box 700, 7330 2nd St., Grand Forks, B.C. V0H 1H0 Fax: 1-250-442-3336 Website: http://www.sterlingnews.com/Forks Author: Darren McDonald Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.) DARE: NO ALCOHOL, NO DRUGS Kids at Perley Elementary know dope is for dopes and boozers are losers. Forty-four Grade 6 students are currently enrolled in the school's community-backed Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program, aimed at establishing safe alternatives to substance abuse and other destructive behaviour while increasing self-esteem and instilling effective conflict resolution skills. Perley Principal Bob MacLean knows the importance of equipping his students with decision-making skills before turning them over to the pounding peer-pressures of high school. "We brought this program in because research proves children aged 10 to 12 years old are most susceptible to being influenced when approached with gateway drugs such as tobacco, alcohol and marijuana," says MacLean. The 17-week course was originally designed in 1983 by the Los Angeles Unified School District to combat urban violence and drug abuse. Here in Grand Forks, Cst. Sharon Godlien takes the students through lessons every Thursday with themes such as Understanding the Effects of Mind-altering Drugs, building Self Esteem, and Reducing Violence. Godlien says an intense two-week training program has provided her with the skills necessary to guide the children in the right direction. "(DARE) is one of the most rewarding training programs I've ever been involved with. It's very important we reach these kids at this age because I guarantee they're already being approached (with drugs and alcohol)," she says. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry F