Three Campbell River service clubs donated a total of $1,000 to help Campbell River RCMP teach the internationally recognized Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program to 200 local Grade 5 children.
The Royal Canadian Legion #137 donated $500; the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #307, $250 and the Ladies Auxiliary to the Fraternal Order of Eagles #3097 also pitched in $250.
Staff Sgt. Anthony Choy, officer in charge of the RCMP Drug and Organized Crime Awareness Service overseeing the Campbell River D.A.R.E. program, said that over 250 police officers teach D.A.R.E. to thousands of school children in more than 90 communities throughout B.C.
“The D.A.R.E. program equips our children with the critical thinking and life skills necessary to choose a drug-free life,” Choy said.
“While police officers teach the program, the cost of the student learning materials is covered by community donations so the program can be offered free to all students. The learning materials cost approximately $10 per student.”
Choy said D.A.R.E. BC is its main partner in the D.A.R.E. program.
D.A.R.E. BC is a registered charitable organization responsible for raising funds from within each community to cover the cost of the student learning materials.
“We are very grateful to these local service clubs for their generous donations which covered the cost of learning materials for 100 students who took the program during the 2011-2012 school year,” he said.
The founder of D.A.R.E. BC, retired RCMP Staff Sgt. Chuck Doucette said next year’s DARE program starts this September and $2,000 still needs to be raised in Campbell River to cover the cost of learning materials for the 200 students who are expected to take the DARE program in the upcoming school year.
RCMP are appealing to the citizens of Campbell River to help provide the financial support needed to empower Campbell River’s school children in choosing a drug-free healthy lifestyle. Donations can be made on line by visiting the D.A.R.E. BC website, www.darebc.com