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BRANTFORD INC. DRUG ABUSE RESISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM P.O. BOX 1116, BRANTFORD, ONTARIO N3T 5T3
THE STORY OF DARE
The DARE Program arrived in Brantford by way of Los Angeles. In 1983 the L.A. Police Department and the L.A. Unified School District formed a task force to develop a drug abuse prevention program for elementary school children. DARE was the result of this partnership’s efforts. Since 1983 DARE has continued to expand. There are programs in all 50 states of the U.S. and in every province. In Ontario, DARE is offered by 16 municipal police services, 67 OPP detachments and at four military bases.
This innovative, crime-prevention program was spearheaded in our community by Police Chief Alvin Barber (Ret.) and then Deputy Chief Bob Peeling (Ret.). DARE was introduced to half of the grade six students in Brantford, on a pilot project basis, in the fall of 1997. Within a short time, it was evident that DARE had the overwhelming support of school principals, teachers, parents and most importantly, the students themselves. Beginning in the 1998-99 school year, DARE was taught to every grade six student in Brantford. At the end of the 2010-11 school year, approximately 17,000 students will have received this valuable education since it was first introduced in Brantford!
WHAT IS DARE?
DARE equips young people with the necessary skills to make well-informed choices and to empower them to say no when they are tempted to use alcohol, tobacco or drugs. Another component of DARE helps students to recognize the dangers of violence in their schools and community. DARE is taught by two, specially-trained Brantford Police Service officers, in one-hour sessions, over 13 consecutive weeks. Students are actively involved in a variety of oral and written exercises over that time and celebrate their successful completion of the program at a graduation ceremony where they receive certificates and a DARE T- shirt.
WHO FUNDS DARE?
The program costs $160,000 a year and is operated by a volunteer board of directors which helps ensure that the necessary funding is done. DARE is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Brantford Police Services Board, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, local corporations, financial institutions, foundations, service clubs and teachers, parents and students from our City schools.
ATM WEB DESIGN PUTS DARE BRANTFORD ON THE WORLDWIDE WEB!
Make sure you visit www.darebrantford.ca to find out the latest, breaking news from DARE Brantford Inc. (not to mention how to make a charitable donation to us). Thanks to Patrick Thompson, of ATM Web Design, for his expertise and generosity in putting DARE Brantford on the World Wide Web!
MEET OUR DARE OFFICER
A DARE Officer is selected by representatives of the DARE Board and the Brantford Police Service for a three- year posting. We are pleased to introduce our DARE Officer – Constable Saundra Glover for the 2013-14 school year.
Constable Saundra Glover, an eight-year veteran of the Brantford Police Service, is now walking the DARE beat. Students at Major Ballachey PS are already acquainted with Constable Glover. Major Ballachey is Saundra’s Adopt-A-School. She also volunteered at Ballachey’s after-school program operated by the Boys and Girls Club. A DARE Officer is selected by representatives of the DARE Board and the Brantford Police Service for a three-year posting.
DARE OFFICER ALUMNI
Officers Steve Sumsion, Brad Loveday, Craig Kennedy Mark Stachurski, Philip Minotti, Steve Bebee, Jaime Price, Dean McIntosh,Keli Corpse and Diana Kestle are former members of this dedicated group of professionals.
ENDOWMENT FUND
In April 2002, the DARE Board established an endowment fund through the Brant Community Foundation to ensure the continued viability of the program for future years. The Board recognizes the leadership role taken by the James F. Boughner Foundation, S.C. Johnson and Wescast Industries Inc. in contributing to the endowment. To date, the endowment fund has generated over $135,000 in interest. This commitment is an important investment in the future of our children!
The Brantford Police Service is pleased to be enhancing the lives of our young citizens through their continued partnership and support of the D.A.R.E. Program.
