Changes to the local DARE program mean the return of a familiar face to the program.
The announcement was made in advance of one of the group's biggest fundraisers, the annual Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign. It's happening this year from Sept. 13 to 19.
In August, the directors of education for the four local school boards decided not to offer the DARE curriculum in classrooms, according to DARE Timmins. The Timmins Police are also no longer affiliated with the program.
Timmins Police still has a "vibrant partnership" with the area schools, said communications co-ordinator Marc Depatie.
"Other educational strategies and programs focused on drug education, anti-bullying, and personal safety are being scrutinized for consideration," he said.
"The Timmins Police Service, where needed and deemed appropriate, will play an active role in mentoring area youth in regards to a number of concerns and challenges confronted by young persons and students."
Rick Lemieux is back as the DARE Timmins co-ordinator.
He was an integral part of the local program for 16 of its 28-year run in local schools.
Typically DARE is led by a police officer. Because he was with the program for so long and is an instructor for new officers, Lemieux said he has special permission to run it.
Instead of being in Grade 6 classrooms, it will be offered after school. French classes will be at La Ronde and the English classes will be at the Timmins Learning Centre.
"It will be free for parents that want to have their kids take the DARE program,” he said.
Because the program wasn't offered last year, he said the program is also open to Grade 7 students.
With COVID-19 restrictions, if Lemieux can't teach in person it will be online.
“What I’ll do is once I get all the students registered I’ll bring them all the workbook and little gifts and we’ll meet online every week and do our classes that way. That’s what I did with the homeschool students last year, I did it online with them and it went very well,” he said.
Lemieux is also hoping to bring back the DARE leadership camp next year.
The annual camp for high school students was held at Camp Bickell, where there were guest speakers and games for the participants.
“After posting on social media, I already have quite a few high school students messaging me that they want to come to the leadership camp,” said Lemieux.
Other goals for the program in 2021/22 are a partnership with TimminsCon for an anti-bullying program, Homeschool DARE Program, partnering with other organizations to offer different DARE programs, and summer days in the park.
Details on how to register for the upcoming classes will be available at daretimmins.com.
For the Smile Cookie campaign next month, cookies are $1 each. Restaurant owners donate the full $1 from each chocolate chunk cookie to the local charity.
