OPP KIDS program a success; all school boards to offer program

The new educational program, OPP Knowledge, Issues, Decisions and Support (KIDS) will officially replace the previous Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) programs in all school boards next year.

The course was developed by provincial police as a tool to connect with young people and help them recognize risks associated with social media, drug abuse and crime.

For 10 weeks, officers visit the classrooms of Grade 6 students to have face-to-face discussions on a variety of topics: the law, peer pressure, bullying, social media, drugs, alcohol and mental health. The hour-long sessions involve games, DVDs, and question and answer discussions.

Program coordinator Constable Kelly Krpan says development of KIDS was necessary in order to address the changing reality for elementary students – one dominated by technology and the Internet. The online safety component is one of the main features that sets KIDS apart from DARE, and Krpan says the students respond most strongly to those sessions.

“It’s such a computer world and everything they do, including everything they need to do in school, is all on the computer,” she said. “(And) unfortunately, suicide is on the rise as a result of cyberbullying. The Internet, as much of a great thing that it is, is a cause of anguish for many things.”

Krpan says it’s important to reach students in this demographic, before they encounter these dangerous situations in reality.

“We start at this age because a youth can be charged as young as 12 years old,” she told the Advertiser. “So we’re giving them a safe environment  … to see the ‘ugly’ side of life.”

While the risks of all drugs are explored, KIDS is unique in that it specifically addresses prescription medication and energy drinks.

“Those are the hidden drugs that people don’t think are being abused, and these children see a prescription bottle with a name on it, and they think that drug is okay,” said Krpan.

“And energy drinks, (they think) because they taste good, and they’re sold over the counter, they’re probably okay. But they’re not.”

Another new discussion covers mental health, something previously not addressed until the secondary school level.

Krpan says knowledge of mental health disorders is crucial in creating the dialogue that helps lift some of the social stigma and foster compassion.

“We live among people who have mental health issues, and we have to learn to live with these people, understand them and get rid of the stigmas in society … we need to recognize what mental illness looks like.”

Previous graduates of the DARE program, now in Grade 7 and 8, are also able to benefit from the expanded curriculum of the KIDS initiative.

Though they don’t complete the full 10 weeks, they receive an hour-long presentation covering topics missed by DARE.

Krpan said having the information delivered by a uniformed officer has a stark visual impact, and allows for the inclusion of real-life scenarios to illustrate ideas, but she believes it’s important for parents and teachers to provide a united front.

“I think I give the same message that any teacher or parent or principal would give. I think we’re all relevant,” she said. “I’ve spoken at a few parent nights to educate the parents, to say this is what I’m showing your kids, and these are the things you can do at home to help.”

Already Krpan has seen the positive impact the program is having on students, and she is excited to see it move forward.

“These kids just soak it up. They look forward to it every week and they really do contribute well in class. They ask the most amazing questions,” she said. “That’s the big thing. They’re learning from one another. Peer pressure is huge, positive or negative.”

 

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