Pelly Bay (Mar 29/04) - Melissa Ihakkaq, 11, had to stand up in front of a bunch of her peers to say "no" to a police officer at school last week.

After that, she had a trip to Edmonton to look forward to.

"It was fun," the Kugaaruk student said, recalling the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program she took part in at Kugaaruk school.

Elijah Nirlungayuk, 11, was another student who acted in small skits with police officers at school, which illustrated the best ways to resist peer pressure when it comes to drugs and alcohol.

He also won a trip to Edmonton, one of three students at the school selected for the special trip.

Twenty three students took part in the DARE program in Kugaaruk this year.

Const. Jamie Savikataaq, along with Cpl. Ron Smith, helped facilitate the prevention program, which is aimed at Grade 5 and 6 students.

"It teaches them how to live drug-free and stay out of trouble," said Savikataaq.

During the play-acting scenes, Savikataaq pretended to be the "bad guy," pushing drugs or alcohol on the students. Savikataaq believes the DARE program successfully teaches children how to say no in those often tense, difficult situations.

"We did a lot of role playing," he said.

"There are many different types of peer pressure, such as teasing, and we acted out examples of each."

The three students received tickets to an NHL game and ride passes for West Edmonton Mall. Savikataaq, in partnership with the school and the hamlet, thought the prizes would motivate the students to pay attention.

For young students Ihakkaq, Nirlungayuk and Abbygail Kakkianiun, it will be a trip of a lifetime, Savikataaq said, because it will be their first time ever visiting a big city.