The Community Relations Department of the Royal Anguilla Police Force, in partnership with the Education Department, has announced that the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) programme was concluded at Campus C, the Referral Unit of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School.

The programme began on April 28 and ended on June 24 with a ceremony at which the keynote address was delivered by Inspector Marva Brooks. Among those in attendance were officials of the Education Department, teachers from the Pupil Referral Unit and Zenaida Haven, parents and others.

Nearing the end of the five-week programme the students were given two assignments. One was: the DARE programme is about to come to an end. Write a letter to the Commissioner of Police telling him why you think the programme should continue to be taught in the schools.

The other was: Create a design to be placed on a notice board in your community that conveys a message against drugs and/or violence.

The first assignment was won by Romique Richardson who read his letter during the ceremony; and the winner of the second assignment was Javard Clarke. The winners were given awards while six students were presented with certificates of appreciation and prizes.

During the course, students were lectured on a number of topics including taking charge of your life; respect; the symptoms and effects of drugs on the body; how to make good decisions in bad situations; and how to deal with angry feelings.

The lessons were taught by officers Shawn Lake and Augustina Carbon of the Community Relations Department.

The DARE programme, which began in all of the schools on January 16, 2007, has been well-received by parents, teachers and the community at large. The Royal Anguilla Police Force intends to sensitise every student on the island to the negative impact of drugs and/or violence and to making healthy choices.

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