Pubdate: Wed, 01 Oct 2003
Source: Oakville Beaver (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003, Oakville Beaver
Contact:  http://www.haltonsearch.com/hr/ob/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1600
Author: Howard Mozel

DARE PROGRAM FUELED BY BUG DONATION

Halton's DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program has been bugged.

On Thursday, during the monthly Halton Regional Police Services Board 
meeting, a 2003 VW Beetle - decked out in full DARE regalia - was 
officially unveiled. Donated by Oakville Volkswagen president/owner Mark 
Seibert, the silver bug is already proving to be a hit with children.

"It's been in use for two weeks now and it's been an excellent ice-breaker 
for the kids," said Const. Derrick Marshall, who oversees the program in 
Oakville and has already received great feedback from students.

The DARE program, offered to all Grade 6 students in Halton by specially 
trained officers, provides children with the self esteem and will power to 
refuse offers of drugs and alcohol, options how to deal with the stress of 
peer pressure and the means to solve problems without resorting to violence.

"DARE is a program we've cherished," said Police Chief Ean Algar, who 
explained that community support like Seibert's helps sustain this 
important initiative.

Such "tremendous participation," Algar continued, helps make Halton 
Regional Police a better service and the region a "better community."

For his part, Seibert said that as the father of two children, he's part of 
the community too and wanted to do something to help the program out.

"I felt this was perfect," said Seibert, who added that DARE deserves all 
the recognition it receives.

Const. Marshall, who explained that the Beetle will also be an attraction 
at special events, approached Seibert about the idea and since many 
Volkswagen dealerships across Ontario already support DARE, the donation 
was an easy sell. The car was ordered then completely decked out in 
familiar DARE logos, Halton Regional Police crest and the words DARE Bug 
across the front.

According to retired police Sergeant and current DARE Halton chair Joe 
Prasad, the program costs $500,000 a year to run in the region so every 
donation is appreciated.

"A gift like this means so much. It really helps us," he said. "It links us 
to the community."
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MAP posted-by: Beth +++++++