Drug Abuse Resistance education has to be sustained – Commander Cooper

The introduction of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) programme in schools in the country was an effective measure that ensures that children are more informed and aware of the negative effects that come with using illicit substances.

However, as this programme continues to be expanded in various educational institutions across communities, a lot of work needs to be done to sustain it.
This is according to Commander of D Division (West Bank Demerara-East Bank Essequibo), Edmond Cooper, who told Guyana Times on Monday that the implementation of the DARE programme in his policing Division has resulted in keeping the rate of students using drugs in schools at a minimum.
“We just got to sustain it. The children are receptive about the information. They are even excited about the information because remember it is a comparative analysis they are making with what they see on television as opposed to what the police are saying.”
He stated that while successes are notable, such an initiative needs to be sustained in order to have maximum results since it not only benefits children attending schools but also their families and friends that live in their villages.
The Commander explained that many students are very much interested in what the DARE programme offers and often have open discussions about their opinions in order to learn as much as possible. Then, in a domino effect manner, they return to their homes and have discussions with their parents and relatives about what they have learnt in this regard.
“We plan to sustain the programme in all the schools. It is a work in progress, especially with the fact of ecstasy and the whole issue of drugs coming into the school, so it is all about sensitisation. We have got to ensure that we sensitise people about the dangers of ecstasy and those things and the DARE programme has helped in the sensitisation process because the people are more learned about this whole issue.”
According to Commander Cooper, although one year ago there was major concern about the widespread introduction and use of illicit substances into schools, the present situation in his Division is that the rate of such is very low.

Concerns
However, concerns have been raised about the contradiction of the DARE programme with the expected changes in the law to cater for non-custodial sentencing for persons caught using small quantities of marijuana.
In this regard, Commander Cooper stated that if such a situation arises once that law is passed, then the police would need to take a “more serious approach” and do much more in the schools. Additionally, other stakeholders would have their work cut out for them too.
“Not just Police alone but the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), churches and everybody have to get involved in this. It will have to be thought out properly and implemented. But we will continue with our DARE programme irrespective of circumstances,” he added.