Students learn to handle challenges, drug free
Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Mar 23/01) - Remembering just before the school bell on Monday morning that a big report is due that day can cause a lot of worry and anxiety for a student.
That scenario was just one of the "stressors" thought of last week by members of Maurice Randell's Grade 5 class at Sir Alexander Mackenzie school.
The students learned about stress in lesson eight of the 17-session Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program, which is being taught by Cpl. Jeff Hurry of the Inuvik RCMP.
"Stress is any strain, pressure or excitement felt about a situation or event," Hurry told the students.
After class, Hurry said each lesson focuses on a specific topic to show how drugs and alcohol can interfere with the way people handle challenges they face in life.
This is the third year the DARE program, which is offered across the country, has been taught at SAMS. (Cpl. Tim Beland is teaching DARE at the other Grade 5 class this year.)
Instructors have to complete a two-week training session in Edmonton.
"It deals with a number of issues, right from drug use to self-esteem, being assertive, reducing violence," Hurry said. "So it's just not concentrated on drug issue and use, but it's a lifestyle education -- trying to get them to think for themselves."
Hurry said this ability is crucial when kids are tempted to experiment with alcohol, tobacco and marijuana -- the so-called gateway drugs.
"They lead you on to other things like cocaine."
Hurry said he's pleased with the progression of the program.
"I like getting off the street and getting in and watching their reactions and doing some type of good for the kids, (it) develops really positive relationships with us too," Hurry said.
The program is run through private donations, and Hurry thanked First Air, the Ladies Auxiliary, NWT Power Corp. and North-Wright Airways for their support of the program.
