The D.A.R.E Program - Update

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program (D.A.R.E.) came to Thunder Bay in the form of a pilot project in January 2001. Constable Rob Lyon, Community Services Officer with the Thunder Bay Police, delivered 17 weekly lessons to Grade Six students at Nor’wester View, Rosslyn Road and Holy Family Schools. D.A.R.E is designed to teach students to recognize and resist the pressures that may steer them toward alcohol and drugs.

A special Culmination Ceremony was held at Old Fort William’s beautiful banquet facility at the completion of the program. Students performed skits, sang songs and read commitments to stay drug free. Guest speakers included Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Chief of Police Bob Herman, Director of Lakehead Public Schools Marilyn Gouthro and Margaret Strerz of Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board. Andy Weiler was the Master of Ceremonies. The hall was full to capacity and the ceremony was a huge success.

The pilot was well received and as a result Constable Lyon has been given approval to continue delivering the program. Grade Six students at Ogden Community, Isabella Street, and Ecole Gron Morgan Schools are receiving the D.A.R.E. program at present and Constable Lyon has already scheduled some classes for the winter term.

You will see Constable Lyon out and about promoting D.A.R.E. in the new Volkswagen Police Bug. The Bug was obtained through a Community Partnership with Downtown Volkswagen and is drawing a great deal of attention to the program!

For more information call Constable Rob Lyon at 628-4292 or e-mail lyonr@air.on.ca. Also, please visit D.A.R.E. Canada or D.A.R.E. America.

For further information contact:

TRI-FORCE / KENORA JOINT FORCES DRUG UNIT
Tel: (807) 475-0198
Fax: (807) 475-0328
E-mail: info@tri-forcedrugs.com

It should be noted that if you wish to provide information on drug trafficking issues –
e-mail can be traced.
We would request it remain anonymous – please contact:

Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477