South Eastman Rotary Club raises funds for D.A.R.E

The South Eastman Rotary Club held a fundraising luncheon on Nov. 13 where just under $21,000 was raised for the D.A.R.E. program in Hanover and Seine River school divisions and for classrooms in Guatemala.

“This is held every fall. We’ve done it for 20 some years at this point,” said Rotary former president and current secretary Krista Friesen, who noted every year the club raises between $20,000 and $40,000 for the two causes.

Since 2000, with only 13 members, the club has raised $100,000.

D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is taught in Grades 6 and 8 and teaches students how to say “No” to drugs, alcohol, and what to do in bullying cases, including cyberbullying.

“Kids come up to me saying that they are involved in different kinds of situations whether it’s bullying or drugs. I offer them support and advice and it shows that it builds the trust that they’re comfortable approaching me, a police officer, and asking for advice,” said Community Const. Dennis Redikop.

The RCMP has taught 10,000 students the D.A.R.E. program over the past 20 or more years.

“The Hanover School Division understands substance abuse is not just an individual issue, it’s deeply connected to a sense of belonging. We know that many times when students struggle with substance abuse it can be a reflection of a deeper issue. A lack of connection to their school, their family, or community,” said Hanover assistant superintendent Colin Campbell.

“A student who feels supported, connected, is far less likely to turn to harmful behaviours as a way to cope with life’s difficulties. What truly sets the D.A.R.E. program apart in the Hanover School Division is the involvement of dedicated RCMP officers.”

Campbell will be the new superintendent at the Seine River School Division in December.

One student who went through the D.A.R.E. program in Grade 6 is Clearspring Middle School student Jordan Faeht, whose uncle works in law enforcement.

The 12-year-old said he was open to the teachings of the D.A.R.E. program and so were his friends. He said while he hasn’t been offered drugs or alcohol, he said he’s seen on social media peer pressure to take addictive substances.

“(D.A.R.E.) just teaches me so much about what I can do, because before I didn’t really know what to say or what to do in this type of situation.”

Jordan’s advice to his peers is to really listen to what the D.A.R.E. program teaches because “you may not need it now, but in the future there’s probably a high likelihood you may get into a situation like this.”

Not only has D.A.R.E taught Jordan to resist peer pressure but it has also given him confidence.

“It’s helped me a lot in how to talk to other people about stuff that you don’t really agree with and you don’t want to do.”