The week of November 13th to 19th, 2011, has been designated Drug Awareness Week in British Columbia, with Wednesday, the 16th proclaimed as the second annual D.A.R.E. Day!

I am pleased to declare Wednesday, November 16th, 2011, as D.A.R.E. Day in this Province," stated Assistant Commissioner Craig Callens, Acting Commanding Officer, BC RCMP. The R.C.M.P. in E Division is committed to continue to deliver the D.A.R.E. program to the children of British Columbia.

D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a school-based drug prevention program taught by police officers to children at the Grade 5 level, providing factual information and helping them develop social skills needed to make positive choices to live drug- and violence-free.

Students are taught to use a four-step decision-making model designed to help them engage in critical thinking, empowering them to make healthy choices and take charge of their lives.

During the 2010/11 school year, D.A.R.E. was taught in the schools in 114 of the approximately 144 communities policed by RCMP in British Columbia. Students are taught to use a four-step decision-making model designed to help them engage in critical thinking, empowering them to make healthy choices and take charge of their lives, said Superintendent Brian Cantera, Officer in Charge of the Federal Drug Enforcement Program in BC.

For more information, click on D.A.R.E. and CPEC.