RCMP, students make connection over six-week educational program
DARE program about more than drug messaging with RCMP emphasizing friendship
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Monday, June 6, 2016
IQALUIT
Aqsarniit Middle School and the Iqaluit RCMP have a close relationship, which principal Don Peters thinks has positive lasting effects in his students.
Const. Lurene Dillon speaks to students at Aqsarniit Middle School about the DARE program May 26. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo |
RCMP representatives were at the school May 26 to present certificates to the school's 75 graduates of its Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program.
Students had to attend all the DARE classes for a six-week period and write an essay at the end about what they learned.
Grade 7 student Madison Ahle was one of a handful of students to read her essay in front of the graduating class.
"We learned confident communication," she said, referring to a method of expressing thoughts and feelings that communicates an opinion while remaining respectful of others.
This was the seventh year of DARE at the school, with the slogan this time of "keeping it real."
Beyond the positive messaging about saying no to drugs and alcohol, Peters said the involvement of RCMP in his students' education has a big effect, adding that members of the force often stop by the school weekly.
"They come and walk through the classes just to say hello," said Peters.
"The kids put a face to the name, so when there's trouble or things that happen outside of school, they know when the RCMP guys come around they're not something to fear. They know those are the guys who will help you."
He called the officers great role models and emphasized the importance of establishing that familiarity and friendship.
"We've got a great partnership with the division and we're hoping to keep that going," said Peters.
