Pubdate: Fri, 19 Nov 2004
Source: Burlington Post (CN ON)
Copyright: 2004 Burlington Post
Contact:  http://www.haltonsearch.com/hr/bp/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1528
Author: Tim Whitnell
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DARE OFFICER HEADS TO PHILIPPINES

Joins Canadian Team Offering Assistance

It took a dare for Wendy Moraghan to finally get to do some overseas 
travel. That's DARE as in the police enforcement program Drug Abuse 
Resistance Education.

The DARE constable with Halton Regional Police has been selected to be part 
of a team of six officers from across Ontario to represent the Canadian 
Training Team which went to the Philippines yesterday (Thursday).

Halton police say it marks the first time that DARE International has 
sought outside assistance in training and certifying new DARE officers. 
Until now the Canadian Training Team, in existence since 1999, had only 
trained officers within Canada.

Most police officers in Ontario, and some from other provinces, receive 
their DARE training at the Ontario Police College in Aylmer.

The upcoming overseas mission is to impart trained officers' knowledge 
about the internationally-recognized DARE program to 36 Philippine police 
officers and five Philippine educators.

Moraghan and five other Ontario-based officers, plus a retired civilian 
school educator, will be stationed in the island nation's southern city of 
Davao City for 2 1/2 weeks.

There they will branch off and each teach a core group of six Philippine 
police officers. The goal is to certify the contingent as DARE officers in 
their own country so they can carry on the program's teachings.

DARE is a worldwide program that seeks to forewarn and educate primary, 
elementary, middle school and high school students, and their parents, 
about the potential perils of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

However, when it comes to DARE in Canada most people think of its work with 
Grade 6s.

Moraghan is a 20-year veteran of Halton police. The 41-year-old Nelson High 
School graduate spent the first 10 years as a civilian member as a 
dispatcher, summons server and an escort officer. She has been involved in 
Halton's DARE program for the last five years.

"There are about 3,500 kids at least that I've taught, mostly in the Milton 
area."

All of the children in her blended family have gone through the program as 
well.

She swears by the messages that DARE officers bring to young, 
impressionable minds.

"In Halton, the impact the program has on kids is it gives them the 
knowledge to make good decisions for a lifetime, and that they can approach 
police and talk to them.

"If you can reach a few kids in every class, then you've achieved 
something," she said.

That's the goal of DARE world wide.

The DARE International Web site says its specially trained police officers 
don't just tell adolescents to say 'no' to getting involved in drugs, 
alcohol, tobacco or violence, they also teach them how to say 'no'.

DARE says it aims to accomplish that by providing students in 58 countries 
with accurate information about drugs, alcohol and tobacco, teaching 
students about decision-making skills and the consequences of their 
behaviour. In addition, the program builds students' self-esteem while 
teaching them how to resist peer pressure and make responsible choices.

The journey to the Philippines is not due to any pressing issues in that 
country, said Moraghan. When a country calls for whatever reason, DARE 
responds she said.

"I wouldn't say there is a worse drug problem there than here. We want them 
to go through the process before they face those decisions," she said of 
pre-teens and teens everywhere.

"They already have a DARE program; they just want to train more officers."

On the DARE International Web site there is a quote attributed to a master 
teacher in General Santos City in the Philippines praising the program. 
"DARE provides the most comprehensive and preventive education for kids to 
keep away from drugs and violence," said Leonida Domantay.

Moraghan noted there have been two new developments within DARE.

An additional thematic phrase for the acronym has been added -- Define 
Assess Respond Evaluate.

Also, the patented program has been re-written, resulting in the need for 
the teaching officers to be re-trained.
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