Pubdate: Wed, 12 Apr 2006
Source: Packet & Times (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006, Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.orilliapacket.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2397
Author: Amy Lazar
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

LEARNING TO SAY NO

Orillia OPP Officers Educate Students On Dangers Of Drugs

Allison Barker came home from school one day and told her mother she 
had to do a project on heroin.

At first, Susan Barker was taken aback, wondering why her 12-year-old 
daughter would choose such a frightening topic.

Then she realized it was part of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education 
(DARE) program, from which all Grade 6 students across Orillia and 
surrounding area will graduate this month.

"It's certainly generated conversations about drugs," said Barker, 
who sat in the audience at Couchiching Heights Public School 
yesterday afternoon watching her daughter graduate.

The 35 students will join about 800 around Orillia and Severn and 
Ramara townships who have completed the 10-session program 
facilitated by local OPP officers.

Const. Sean McTeague taught at Couchiching Heights.

"We've talked about subjects like alcohol, tobacco, marijuana," he 
said. "We also talk about confidence and the ability to make 
decisions. Sometimes, it takes a little courage to say no."

The students watch videos, learn a decision-making process and, at 
the end of the program, submit a DARE report about what they learned.

Four students were selected to read their reports to the graduating class.

"I've learned to say no to drugs. They may look good, but they can 
kill you," Nick Vennard read aloud.

"During the class, we were educated more on drugs like ecstasy and 
crystal meth. I had no idea they looked so much like candy," Jordynne 
Hislop wrote in her report.

"People who smoke and take drugs hurt themselves and the people 
around them," Courtney Hodgkinson told the group.

"The DARE program had a really big impact on me because, if I hadn't 
learned this now, something horrible might have happened," said Dakota Howard.

Each student received a handbook, a keychain and a certificate of completion.

The four DARE report finalists received a medal. They will be judged 
against all other finalists from around the region, one of whom will 
win a new computer.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman