Pubdate: Fri, 18 Jan 2002 Source: Langley Advance (CN BC) Copyright: 2002 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc. Contact: http://www.langleyadvance.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1248 Author: Erin McKay Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.) 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake