Repulse Bay (May 19/04) - An anti-abuse and violence program which has proven itself immensely popular among students at Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay may not continue next year.

Const. Chad Zumack interacts with students participating in the DARE program at Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay. - photo courtesy of Leonie Aissaoui

RCMP Const. Chad Zumack has taught the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program at Tusarvik for the past two years.

Zumack is scheduled to be transferred this summer and there's no guarantee the program will continue after his departure.

"There's no denying this program has had a positive effect on Repulse youth," said Zumack.

"The detachment hopes to continue the program next year, but that depends on whether any of the new members are trained to deliver the DARE program."

Zumack taught an abbreviated DARE course to Grade 5 and 6 students last year due to time constraints, but was able to deliver a full 17-week program this year.

He said the kids in Repulse have really enjoyed participating in the DARE program and are retaining what they have learned.

"The DARE program teaches the children about alternate activities to alcohol, drugs and violence.

"We also show what drugs can do to them and teach different techniques they can use to say no to drugs."

Despite their relatively youthful age, Zumack said a number of kids were already chewing tobacco when he started the program.

He said even though many of the students are still chewing, the majority of them have switched to nicotine-free tobacco.

"We'd rather, of course, they stopped chewing all together, but moving to the nicotine-free tobacco is a step in the right direction."

Zumack said the DARE students took part in a number of skits during the course.

He said the program is designed for youth to be active, so they can demonstrate their ability to say no in front of their peers.

"At the end of the program, they write a personal letter we want them to read in front of the class.

"It explains why they're not going to use drugs or alcohol, and why they're going to stay violence free.

"The challenge is to get one student up to do it first. "After that, they all get up to read their letter."