4 ~ North Shore News — Sunday, June 25. 2000 DARE program defended Deana Lancaster News Reporter dlancaster@nsnews.com THE West Vancouver Youth Advisory Comm‘ttee was right about DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) — the cur- riculum for Grade 5 and 7 stu- dents is far too juvenile for sec- ondary school students. - That's because it's not intended tor sec- ondary school age studenis, say North Shore police officers reaching DARE. Unfortunately, the committee didn’t read the Grade 8 program — set to be introduced at all West Vancouver secondary schools in September — before releasing a report out- lining its concerns about DARE to district council, school board and the police depart- ment. The committee had reviewed 3 November 1999 study of the program: by West Vancouver researcher Charles Curtis. His study found mostly positive reaction and results from the program, but he did say that research suggests drug education programs have only short-term effects, which would suggest further education programs were needed at the secondary school level. The West Van police implemented DARE starting with the Grade 5 program, said media liaison officer and DARE instruc- tor Sgt. Jim Almas, because the program is about prevention. “You don’t have to be a brain surgeon to figure out that if you want to prevent young people from eying something you have to _talk to them before they’re exposed to it,” he said. “All the research indicates that young people are experimenting with drugs at the entrance level to high school, so why would we wait until Grade 1] or 12 to talk to them?” And for the elementary school students, it is juvenile, said Almas, because it’s age- appropriate. Youth committee criticism countered by N. Shore police Simon Maledy, vice-principal and Grade 7 teacher at St. Anthony's School in West Vancouver, agrees. “It's designed for the age group, and from an educational point of view I think it’s very sound.” He said the students love the program, and he believes it, works. One of St. Antheny’s DARE graduates trom last vear is Now acting as a mentor, working with off- cers and ralking to younger students. In its report, the vouth committee also said the program should be backed by coun- selling facilines and a recognition that some substance abuse is linked to other problenis. Tt called for more information about hard drugs, and pointed out that the high rate of drug and alcohol use among, older students indicated the need for a secondary drug pro- gram. But the police were well ahead of the committee. They had also read Curtis’ study and as a result, they had decided to implement the Grade 8 program. Students at Collingwood school were the first to receive the new pro- gram this year. “Like anv program, whether it’s math, social studies or DARE — if you stop teach- ing it they won't remember it in a few years,”said Almas. The News recently reviewed a copy of the Grade 8 curriculum. Ic includes lessons. on supply, cost and demand for drugs; infor- mation about the short and long-term phys- ical effects of drugs ranging from tobacco and alcohol to cocaine, heroin and inhalants; and a fesson on seeking help, information or resources. It also includes an in-depth look at the Young Offenders Act; information about drinking and driving under the graduated Motorcyclist dies in WV ~- Deana Lancaster News Reporter dlancaster@nsnews,com - -CYPRESS Bowl claimed another life on Thursday afternoon — but this time it wasn’t lost in the wilderness. A22-year-old Vancouver man died in a single vehicle acci- licensing program; and a comprehensive see- tion about anger management and handling problems without tuming to drugs. And now West Van isn’t the only North Shore community teaching DARE. This vear, the North Vancouver RCMP introduced the Grade 5) curriculum: to Queen Mary, Ridgeway and Lamnmeur ele- mentary schools. “The community has been asking for this for vears.” said Ser. Rob Boulet, who is in charge of community policing and cnime prevention. He said vouth are one of the RCMP's organizational priorities, *and the force has recognized: prevention and education are important as well as enforcement.” He added that the RCMP in the rest of the province and Canada also support DARE. Const. Shannon Muir was one of three North Vancouver RCMP members who “took the pwo-week training course in Chilliwack to become a DARE instructor. Her first class just graduated. “They were keen ... really enthusiastic.” She said the program is targeting the right age group, because some of them have already had exposure to drugs and alcohol. Sociai Credit head to talk in North Van SOCIAL Credit Party leader Eric Buckley will meet the pub- lic at a meeting set for this com- ing Tuesday night in North Vancouver. Eric Buckley will be speaking at 7 p.m. at Cheers Restaurant, 125 East 2nd St. He'll be ratking about Social Credit poli- cy on the financial management of B.C. The party is in discussion with other right-wing parties in B.C. regarding a merger. SHADES by Ik LEVOLOR | 40-50c% Macufactseers suggested retail, FEAL WEEK. 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