The Houlton Police Department recently sent out letters to businesses and organizations in the community seeking donations for the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. The goal is to raise $4,000, which would allow the police department to provide the program to fifth grade students at the Southside School for another two years.
Since January of 2008, nearly 600 children from the Southside School fifth grade class have successfully completed the program and graduated. Officer Stephen Nason was the department’s D.A.R.E. instructor from 2008-2012. Officer Gary McGuire successfully completed the 80-hour D.A.R.E. instructor program in Keene, N.H. last year and took over the program in 2013.
“Officer McGuire and I were presented a check for $500 yesterday at the Machias Savings Bank,” said Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin. “This year, the department has raised approximately $1,300. The department sincerely wants to thank all of the businesses and individuals who have kindly contributed.”
Since 2008, the department has raised nearly $6,500 in contributions to purchase D.A.R.E. T-shirts, workbooks, diplomas and to also provide the graduates with a small banquet to recognize them for their individual success.
Not including the D.A.R.E. officer’s salary, it costs nearly $2,000 per year or approximately $20 per student to conduct the 10-week program.
“This highly acclaimed program gives students the life skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence,” Asselin said. “It does this by providing students with factual information on these topics and addresses the consequences of becoming involved in high-risk behavior. D.A.R.E. teaches coping skills to resist the pressure to use drugs or to become involved in dangerous activities. It offers this in a school environment which fosters a positive relationship with a community-based police officer.”
The D.A.R.E. curriculum is designed to be taught by police officers whose training and experience give them the background needed to answer the sophisticated questions often posed by young students about drugs and crime, Asselin said. Prior to entering the D.A.R.E. program, officers undergo 80 hours of special training in areas such as child development, classroom management, teaching techniques, and communication skills
In order to be accepted into the D.A.R.E. instructor school, candidates must be uniformed law enforcement officers with at least two full years of experience and meet the minimum training standards for police officers in their state of residence. Ideally, the candidate selected must successfully demonstrate that they have the following essential skills:
• Ability to interact and relate with children.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Responsiveness to instruction.
• Ability to develop interpersonal relationships.
• Have good time management skills.
• Be an exemplary role model in both formal and informal situations.
All funding received is used exclusively to support the D.A.R.E. program at the Southside School. The public’s support is greatly appreciated. Please submit your contribution payable to the D.A.R.E. Fund, Town of Houlton 21 Water St., Houlton, ME 04730. For more information, contact Asselin or McGuire at 532-2287.
