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.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager