Pubdate: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 Source: Okotoks Western Wheel (CN AB) Copyright: 2004, Okotoks Western Wheel Contact: http://www.westernwheel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1638 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.) COMMUNITY - D.A.R.E. SOCIETY SEEKING COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE The DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Works Foothills Society invites interested members of the public to attend its Annual General Meeting on Monday, Nov. 22 at 7 pm in the boardroom of the RCMP detachment in Okotoks. The DARE Works Society has operated in the Foothills since 1998 and annually serves students in 14 schools across nine Foothills communities. It works in partnership with the RCMP detachments in Turner Valley, Okotoks and High River to deliver the DARE program to over 1,100 Grade 6 and Grade 8 students in the MD. Through the efforts of the society, the Foothills School Division is the only school division in Canada to offer the DARE program to all Grade 6 and 8 students. The DARE program is a 10-12 lesson prevention and life skills program aimed at youth in the 11-to-15 year age bracket. It is delivered by specially trained police officers who provide students with credible information about the consequences of substance use, violence and vandalism. DARE officers teach students the skills they need for resisting peer pressure and they provide information about positive activities students can engage in as alternatives to vandalism, abusing alcohol, tobacco or drugs. Continued delivery of the program is made possible by on-going funding from the Foothills School Division, six municipalities and Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School. The society is the recipient of proceeds from the annual High River/Okotoks RCMP Charity Golf Tournament and receives donations from community-minded businesses and individuals as well as grants from various funding agencies. "Fundraising is always a challenge," said Wayne Meikle, president of DARE Works Foothills Society. He notes that "The generosity of the community and the variety of donors reflects the society's motto -- `It takes a whole community to raise a child.'" The DARE Works Foothills Society welcomes members of the public to join them and are hoping for a great turn-out at their annual meeting. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin