Pubdate: Wed, 06 Feb 2008
Source: Nanton News (CN AB)
Copyright: 2008 Nanton News
Contact:  http://www.nantonnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3200
Author: Aaron Carr
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

DARE TO COME BACK

After years of absence from Nanton schools, the DARE (Drug Abuse 
Resistance Education) program is back.

DARE was last taught in Nanton by Const. Danny Palmer nearly five years ago.

Since Const. Palmer's departure, Nanton hasn't had a certified DARE 
teacher to continue the program.

With the arrival of Cpl. A.J. Mand last May, however, the program is 
back in full swing this school year.

The 10-week program is aimed at Grade 6 students, teaching kids about 
drugs, tobacco, alcohol, peer pressure and how to make informed decisions.

"Basically life skills," Cpl. Mand said of the program.

Currently, Cpl. Mand goes to AB Daley once a week to teach all of the 
school's Grade 6 students, 37 students in total.

"There is a junior high (DARE) program, but right now we're 
concentrating on the elementary school," Cpl. Mand said.

In addition to the 10-week Grade 6 program, Cpl. Mand also spends one 
day going over drug education with the kindergarten and Grade 1 
students at A.B. Daley.

Cpl. Mand was one of the first Canadians ever trained in the DARE 
program while working with the Red Deer detachment of the RCMP in 
1997 when the program first came to Canada from Los Angeles.

And soon Nanton will have two DARE certified instructors as Const. 
Dave Wallace will be taking the two-week course through the RCMP 
starting on Feb. 4.

"I asked Const. Wallace (to take the course)," Cpl. Mand said. "To 
me, he presents strong communication skills and he's great with kids. 
I think he'll be a great role model in the schools."

Const. Wallace is looking forward to sharing DARE duties with Cpl. 
Mand once he's completed his training.

"I want to be involved in the schools with the kids," Const. Wallace 
said. "It's a great way to get to know them."

Though it's too early to tell what sort of effect the program is 
having in Nanton, Cpl. Mand believes from past experiences teaching 
the course that it will have a positive effect in the community.

The Nanton RCMP received a $2,000 donation from the Kananaskis Rotary 
Club, of which Cpl. Mand is a member, to get the DARE program started 
again in Nanton.

"With schools in the area, I think it's important," Cpl. Mand said of 
the DARE program.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom