Pubdate: Mon, 27 Nov 2017
Source: North Bay Nugget (CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 North Bay Nugget
Contact: http://www.nugget.ca/letters
Website: http://www.nugget.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2226
Author: Gord Young
Page: A3

DARE PROGRAM CANCELLED

The North Bay Police Service's drug-abuse prevention program is no
longer being delivered in local classrooms.

Chief Shawn Devine said the long-running DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance
Education) program has been cancelled and that efforts are underway to
look for other ways of working with schools to provide education
regarding drugs, bullying and similar issues.

He said the decision to cancel the program was sparked by a loss of
funding from local school boards that was used to help offset some of
the costs of delivery.

Devine said that, coupled with questions surrounding the future of the
program in light of the pending legalization of marijuana next year,
were key factors.

He said the school boards kicked in a small share of just over $25,000
toward the program, which involved two officers handling school
liaison and DARE duties.

But he said the DARE program only targeted elementary school students.
And Devine said the two officers who were attached to the program will
now be available to do liaison work with local high schools as well.

He said a DARE board of directors still exists and will continue to
receive some funds from community groups. He said it's been proposed
that those funds would be used to bring presentations - facilitated by
police - to local schools based on their needs.

Devine said DARE was effective at engaging young school-aged children.
But he said a high school component would have been optimal had the
resources been available.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt