Pubdate: Tue, 24 Jan 2006
Source: Williams Lake Tribune, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Williams Lake Tribune
Contact:  http://www.wltribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1226
Author: Gaeil Farrar
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

DRUG: AWARENESS PROGRAM ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED	

Const. David Skretting got a warm welcome from an enthusiastic group 
of Grade 6 students at Poplar Glade elementary Friday for the last 
session in the nine-week Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) 
program he conducted at the school.

Judging by the attentiveness of the students, and the number of hands 
being thrown in the air to answer Skretting's review questions, the 
program seems to have made a lasting impression on these students 
about the harm that can befall them if they use and abuse drugs and alcohol.

Skretting asked the students questions such as why is marijuana harmful.

The students came back with all the right answers. One girl said it 
harms young people more than adults because their bodies are still 
growing. Another said it causes short term memory loss, which 
Skretting reiterated can interfere with a student's ability to study 
and take exams. Another student said it can cause lung damage.

Students also repeated a couple of the role play situations they had 
practiced to learn how to be assertive about their decision not to do 
drugs or alcohol, or do mean things to other people.

In one role play students were in the cafeteria lineup when one 
student started pressuring the other to give him his lunch money. 
Instead of just saying no, the student being badgered just kept 
saying "no I won't give you the money but I will share my lunch with you."

In another role play, one student practiced saying no when his peers 
pressured him to ring the doorbell of an old lady then run way.

Another role play involved learning how to cut off correspondence on 
the Internet when someone is pressuring you, by simply pressing the 
escape button to terminate the correspondence.

Skretting also asked some review questions about inhalant drugs, the 
effects of drinking alcohol and cigarette smoking on health. Several 
students came back with different answers.

On the topic of alcohol one student said: It kills brain cells. 
Another said alcohol affects your coordination. And another student 
said it damages your liver.

Before the session started a few of the boys were discussing a 
television news report one of them had seen on television the night 
before about a crystal meth amphetamine addict and his wild behaviour 
while driving a stolen car.

With certain inhalants, and other drugs, even one time use can cause 
death for some people, Skretting reminded the students.

Not all of the sessions were about drugs and alcohol.

During the sessions students also played games related to developing 
healthy lifestyles and finding fun activities they can enjoy without 
the use of alcohol or drugs.

"So you all have the skills to do other things than drugs when you go 
to high school," said Skretting.

He left them with the DARE workbook and a little plastic card with 
eight ways students can be in charge of their own lives.

Toward the end of the session several students asked to make 
"statements" rather than ask questions. "You're cool," said one 
student. "I enjoyed it," said another about the DARE course.

Skretting was asked if there was a DARE program in high school. He 
said there was and he hopes to receive training to deliver that program.

At the end of the session Skretting presented each of the students 
with a graduation certificate and the students presented him with a 
dream catcher.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom