Pubdate: Tue, 03 Jun 2003 Source: North Island Gazette (CN BC) Copyright: 2003 North Island Gazette Contact: http://www.northislandgazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2783 Author: Chrissy Johnny Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) STUDENTS DARED TO REFUSE DRUGS ALERT BAY -- Eighteen young people graduated from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) 17-week program at Alert Bay Elementary School, says Const. Stuart Seib of the Alert Bay RCMP detachment. Approximately 75 community members showed up for this important day to see Natalie Hunt, Flora Pagani, Fraser Ullstrom, Kathleen Cook, Jacqueline Matilpi, Keegan Hamilton, Victor Hanuse, Michael Wong, Stephen Ross, Steven Smith, Tyler Plensky, Tatum Souch, Adam Dalton, Spruce Rufus, Rebekah Shroud, Savannah Ranville, Christine Gullstrom and Matthew Joseph graduate. The students did a skit that demonstrated how if a person is isolated, and surrounded by such things as alcohol, cigarettes, cocaine, heroin, magic mushrooms and other harmful drugs, he cannot be reached by the helpful influences such as family, teachers and community members. It ended with the positive influences teaming up and getting through to the person and getting him out of the situation. Natalie Hunt read aloud a DARE essay she wrote. "My rights say I should be happy and treated with respect. Also my rights say I should be safe and get an education. My rights are the same as everyone else's because that is what everyone needs to be happy. Hunt continued, "Const. Seib has taught us many things. He was a good DARE teacher. This is why I want to stay drug-free." Flora Pagani: "We've learned why people get into drugs and alcohol and gangs. They are usually the people with low self-esteem. I think the DARE program is awesome. Const. Seib is an awesome DARE teacher. Every week I look forward to Wednesday, the day we have DARE. Because of the DARE program, I'm going to make better decisions in the future. Everyone my age should take the DARE program." Fraser Ullstrom: "If you stay drug-free, you can stay violence-free. If people did not have drugs and beer, the world might be a nicer and calmer place." Keegan Hamilton: "If you do drugs, you can get very sick. If you don't do drugs, you will be really happy. You won't lose money, because if you do drugs, you have to spend money and you can die." Tatum Souch: "I am very proud I took the DARE program, because I'm 99 percent sure I am not going to do drugs because they can be harmful to me." "I feel confident the DARE graduates will make it to their graduation," Seib said. "It takes an entire community to keep kids safe. Never be afraid to ask for help." Seib, who has delivered the DARE program for five years, will move to Clearwater soon. He was awarded a promotion and will move when a replacement is found for Alert Bay. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager