D.A.R.E. History in Caledon
In 2003 I was approached by Sargent Bob Patterson to ask if I would be interested in raising the money to teach a drug prevention program to our grade 6 students in Caledon. After reading and researching the program I decided that our young people need to learn how to deal with the escalating drug problem amongst our young. This program teaches the kids to say no to drugs, alcohol and tobacco and to deal with their peer pressure. We are so lucky in Caledon to have the Ontario Provincial Police to support the program.
In 2003 I was approached by Sargent Bob Patterson to ask if I would be interested in raising the money to teach a drug prevention program to our grade 6 students in Caledon. After reading and researching the program I decided that our young people need to learn how to deal with the escalating drug problem amongst our young. This program teaches the kids to say no to drugs, alcohol and tobacco and to deal with their peer pressure. We are so lucky in Caledon to have the Ontario Provincial Police to support the program.
The DARE program started in 1983 in Los Angeles because of their gang activity that was drug related. They developed a compressive program that is taught by a trained police officer. This program is taught in over 50 countries in the world.
Our O.P.P. officer Pablo Perreira goes to all our grade 6 students in the Town of Caledon’s schools and their salary is paid by the Ontario Provincial Police. The money that we raise through an annual event and corporate donations goes to providing the officer the tools to teach the program. The DARE program is a 7-week program, and we are teaching 1200 students a year and we provide the officer with the workbooks and their graduating certificates. Also, the students receive upon completion of the program a classic black DARE t-shirt.
The D.A.R.E. program offers students the opportunity to gain a trustworthy adult friend, develop a positive attitude toward our law enforcement officers, and acquire a greater respect for the law.
Please visit our web page to help us raise the money through our events as we are non-subsidized and solely funded through YOU, the community. We have volunteers that have offered their time and energy to raise money and awareness. We have worked as a team through the years for our kids. Our volunteers are Karen McDonald, Vera Robinson, Trudy Westhaver, Karin Casey, Munish Joshi, David Sheen, and our Officer Pablo Perreira, without their help we would not have been able to continue with our program.
We are a registered not for profit organization with the government as “D.A.R.E. for the Kids”. We hope to see you at our next event.……………...Valerie Arnold-Judge