Pubdate: Wed, 13 Dec 2006 Source: Agassiz Harrison Observer (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Agassiz Observer Contact: http://www.agassizharrisonobserver.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1344 Author: Darla Dickinson KENT ELEMENTARY STUDENTS ARE DARE AWARE We see the car, we see the logo but few of us actually know what the DARE message is other than it has something to do with Drugs. Students from Kent Elementary were presented with their DARE certificates and demonstrated to fellow students and members of the public and Lion members (main sponsor of the local DARE program) present at the assembly that they not only know DARE's message, but also the harmful affects of Marijuana, alcohol and tobacco. "This Dare group is one of the best we've had. There were two good classes of students and the support that they get from their parents at the end - that is what makes it worthwhile," says Cst. Cris Wortman, the school liaison officer for the Upper Fraser Valley. It is fitting that this class was a memorable one as this will be Cst. Wortman's last local class he will see graduate from the DARE program as he has just been transferred to Chilliwack. "When you see the students put that much effort into something you feel positive that they got something out of it," says Cst. Wortman. DARE, which stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, teaches students to look at a situation and Define, Assess, Respond, and Evaluate. "I think the program is working. It is not going to get everybody - some of them won't get anything out of it and others probably didn't need it at all. But, there are a few which it could go either way and those are the ones that we are trying to keep on board," says Cst. Wortman. "All we can do is give them the information and let them make their own decisions. But, at least they have that information to help them decide." Some of the things that they learned include: 45,000 people die a year from smoking - and that is half of Chilliwack, there are more than 200 known poisons in cigarette smoke, Marijuana contains more than 400 chemicals and increases ones risk of cancer and memory loss, alcohol goes directly into your bloodstream and can increase your risk for a variety of diseases, alcohol can damage every organ in your body and is a depressant drug. Harrison and Agassiz Christian Elementary Schools hold their DARE graduation every second year due to a fewer number of students and it is a 5/6 split rather than just grade 5 DARE grads. - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine