Local kids ‘D.A.R.E.’ to be drug free

Ken Johnston

The grade 5/6 class at Riverview Elementary School has “dared” to be drug free after spending 16 weeks in the Ontario Provincial Police Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program.
Last Thursday morning Jacqui Gaborieau’s class participated in a special graduation ceremony that not only recognized all 26 members of the class, but also three of them were singled out for special honours. Rylea Lauzon, Alissa Jodoin and Jessie Bourre all read their essays on D.A.R.E. to their fellow graduates.
Lauzon, who received the top prize, a stuffed Daren the Lion, the official mascot of D.A.R.E., pledged to stay drug free and never drink over the limit in her essay. She pointed out that drugs and alcohol can affect the way an individual feels about themself and how people feel about you.
“Drugs are like injecting death into yourself,” said Lauzon. “Alcohol has ruined many families and lives and many people get overpowered by alcohol.”
Jodoin, who placed 2nd in the essay contest, wrote about “Eight Ways to Say No” to drugs and alcohol. Bourre who came in third wrote about the dangers of belonging to street gangs and the evils of drugs. “If I learned anything from D.A.R.E. it is to be drug free,” said Bourre.
Both D.A.R.E. instructor Ken Jasper and teacher Jacqui Gaborieau said it was very difficult to choose three winning essays from the 26 submitted. All were turned in with no names on them so that judging could be completely impartial.
Constable Jasper asked the class what they had learned during the program. Cody Jarvis said, “I learned not to join street gangs because most involve drugs.”
Jasper and Gaborieau presented each of the graduates with a D.A.R.E. graduation certificate, a card that has “Eight Ways to Say No” on it and a D.A.R.E. t-shirt.
Jasper was presented with a giant hand made thank you card from the class. He was very grateful for it and also to the class for behaving.
He also gave the Women of the Moose in Baudette and the Rainy River Legion credit for their financial support. “Their money helps us purchase all the materials necessary to put D.A.R.E. on.” said Jasper.