Pubdate: Sun, 09 Apr 2006
Source: Meadow Lake Progress (CN SN)
Copyright: 2006 Meadow Lake Progress
Contact:  http://www.meadowlakeprogress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2156
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DARE PROGRAM IS BENEFICIAL

Thursday is National DARE Day, and there is no better time to  
acknowledge this fine program which alerts students to the dangers of  
drugs and alcohol.

While some people may shake their heads at imparting such information  
to students in Grades 5 and 6, the sad reality is, it is necessary in  
today's world.

Drugs have been around for quite awhile. In decades past, nobody had  
to worry about youth getting into them - especially not youth as  
young as 12 or 13.

But times have drastically changed, and with that, much former  
innocence has been lost.

Today, a student can enter his or her teens being pressured to at  
least try various illegal substances such as marijuana and inhalants.  
Even legal, but dangerous, substances such as tobacco or alcohol  
become a temptation for youth, as the desire to be "cool" can  
override the knowledge of the scientific evidence.

It's important to prepare students for this possibility.

That's why it's called the Drug Abuse RESISTANCE Education program.  
It provides children and teens with the wherewithal to say "no" -  
politely but firmly, if need be - to that temptation.

There is wider and wider recognition - not only by DARE officers but  
by fellow students, as well - that drug and alcohol use is NOT  
"cool". There is a growing awareness, especially among youth, that  
the disadvantages of using such substances outweigh the advantages.

After all, is there a good side to being so drunk you end up holding  
your head over a toilet bowl? Or worse yet, smash into someone else,  
hurting or killing that person?

Or what's to be gained by ingesting harsh ingredients you would never  
use in a normal situation, only to make yourself hallucinate and then  
not remember what you did or said (and again, take the risk of  
harming yourself or another person)?

There will always be those who will think such experiences are fun.  
But by far, the vast majority of students, and society in general,  
know better, and act accordingly.

For those who may be sitting on the fence when it comes to drug and  
alcohol abuse, programs such as DARE will provide them with the  
incentive they need to avoid the unhappiness that comes with that  
experience.

It's not preaching - it's presenting the bare facts.

The ten sessions of the program not only provide students with  
information but also bring out their creativity. At their graduation,  
which occurs at the tenth session, students get to demonstrate, in  
various ways such as song or drama or essays, what they have learned  
over the past two months.

Those attending those graduation ceremonies always hear the same  
message - but that's because it's valuable and because it always has  
to be repeated.

The need for such wisdom still exists, to prevent future heartache  
for those whose lives are still very much ahead.

That's why the DARE program is one of the best ways to invest hope  
and courage into our future generations.
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MAP posted-by: Jackl