D.A.R.E. program wraps up at local schools

Nov 19, 2009

Mr. Ross’s grade 6 students at LPS participate in the D.A.R.E. program

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program is wrapping up at various elementary schools in South Frontenac.

A number of grade 6 students from those schools, including Harrowsmith, Perth Road, Storrington, St. Pat’s in Harrowsmith and Prince Charles in Verona, will soon be graduates of the program.

The eight-session program, which founded in Los Angeles in 1983, was presented in local schools by South Frontenac OPP Constable Natalie McDowell. The program is designed as a way to encourage young children to “resist drugs and avoid violence“ and targets older elementary students in grades 5 and 6 by introducing them to issues that they are likely to face.

The program focuses on teaching children how to make wise and healthy decisions and provides students with a model and a workbook where they explore various real life scenarios.

When posed with difficult choices, students are instructed in the D.A.R.E. model to 1. Define the problem, 2. Assess their options, 3. Respond to the issue, and 4. Evaluate the outcome.

As described on the D.A.R.E. website, “Gone is the old-style approach to prevention in which an officer stands behind a podium and lectures students in straight rows. New D.A.R.E. officers are trained as "coaches" to support kids who are using research-based refusal strategies in high-stakes peer-pressure environments.”

On November 13 at Loughborough PS in Sydenham, Mr. Ross’s grade 6 students were given the last of eight classes in the D.A.R.E. course. “Officer Nat”, as the kids like to call her, discussed a Drug Identification Kit, which displays various types of illegal substances and their associated paraphernalia.

At the end of the class, the students were given a final assignment and asked to create a public service announcement or warning label on one of a number of topics, including; alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and bullying/peer pressure. They were also asked to make a personal pledge pinpointing one specific goal for their future conduct regarding that particular issue. On December 11 there will be a graduation ceremony at LPS for all participating students.

Officer Nat is committed to the program and the students. She believes it is having a positive impact. “The kids are really receptive and are not afraid to ask questions,” she said.

An anonymous question box was placed at the front of the class for students who feel shy about raising their concerns and Natalie addresses those questions at the start of every class.

Constable McDowell feels strongly that providing the students with a chance to bond with a member of the police force is another positive result of the program. “The kids see me as a friend, and I hope, as they grow up, will recall some of the topics we covered.”

She added, “It’s a real privilege that the schools allow me to present the course. I feel very fortunate that we are able to offer the program at these schools and we are thankful for support from the Sydenham and District and Storrington Lions clubs because without them, we would not be able to afford the program.”

For more information on the D.A.R.E. program, please visit www.dare.com.