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.
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MAP posted-by: Terry F