Drug abuse resistance course comes to Waiouru

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 529, 29 March 1994, Page 8

Drug abuse resistance course comes to Waiouru

Waiouru Primary School hosted a drug abuse resistance education (DARE) training course for the police over the last week. The course was run to train police and selected local representatives (health and education) in the implementation and running of the DARE programme in schools. The course is normally run twice a year at the police college in Porirua. Senior Sergeant Joe Green, region co-ordinator (training) said running the course in a school environment worked really well. 'DARE to Make a Choice' is a programme designed for 8-13 year olds. Police and teachers work together to teach young children self worth and give them the ability to say no. DARE teaches children they have the right to make their own decisions and choices. It gives them the skills to handle social and personal pressures. Police involved with the teaching of DARE, think the programme has been highly successful

since being introduced in to New Zealand in 1 99 1 . Three and a half thousand children have been through the programme in this region which takes in Taranaki to Hawkes Bay , Otaki to Ohura nationally, about 10,000 children have completed the programme, which is one of three DARE programmes. Police also run DARE to Drive to Survi ve for young dri vers, and DARE to Support Y our Kids, for parents. At aninformation evening the new district commander for the Wanganui District, Alec Waugh, presented a plaque to Tauri Morgan, principal of Waiouru Primary School. The plaque was a token of gratitude from the police to the community for their support. Mr Morgan was thanked for the use of the school facilities, and his strong support of the programme. The Waiouru Warrant Officers and Sergeants mess was also presented with a plaque as thanks for their hospitality.