http://www.kelowna.com/2009/11/23/increase-in-major-crimes-forces-cancellation-of-school-based-anti-drug-dare-program/ Kelowna. Right Now! Sat, 02 Oct 2010 19:12:54 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 http://www.kelowna.com/2009/11/23/increase-in-major-crimes-forces-cancellation-of-school-based-anti-drug-dare-program/comment-page-1/#comment-5795 rob robinson Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:19:47 +0000 /?p=100910#comment-5795 The time and effort put into the D.A.R.E program has been just that, an investment in our youth.This is the scenario of being proactive in the hope of children making the right decision in the years to come,just as the health care field does over diabetes,heart disease,lung disease,ectra with the foresight knowing that the dollars spent now in education will come back two fold with less money spent on the overall budget and the burden on the system.Superintendent McKinnon and all the other officers involved in this program deserve the biggest thanks possible for the wholehearted effort they put into this program.It's unfortunate that such an important program of this magnitude is axed due too budget constraints.The rise in serious crimes and the goverments inability to fund major crimes units is criminal in itself.The economy hasn't helped Superintendent McKinnons situation any,and probably wont for some time to come,but one has to wonder why the goverment of the day didn't have some foresight in this scenario.Is this a sign of the times,we see all kinds of services being cut just to keep the bare sevices afloat,it really isnt a surprise right now.Again it's the children whom suffer! The time and effort put into the D.A.R.E program has been just that, an investment in our youth.This is the scenario of being proactive in the hope of children making the right decision in the years to come,just as the health care field does over diabetes,heart disease,lung disease,ectra with the foresight knowing that the dollars spent now in education will come back two fold with less money spent on the overall budget and the burden on the system.Superintendent McKinnon and all the other officers involved in this program deserve the biggest thanks possible for the wholehearted effort they put into this program.It’s unfortunate that such an important program of this magnitude is axed due too budget constraints.The rise in serious crimes and the goverments inability to fund major crimes units is criminal in itself.The economy hasn’t helped Superintendent McKinnons situation any,and probably wont for some time to come,but one has to wonder why the goverment of the day didn’t have some foresight in this scenario.Is this a sign of the times,we see all kinds of services being cut just to keep the bare sevices afloat,it really isnt a surprise right now.Again it’s the children whom suffer!

]]> http://www.kelowna.com/2009/11/23/increase-in-major-crimes-forces-cancellation-of-school-based-anti-drug-dare-program/comment-page-1/#comment-5628 Allison Ramchuk Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:44:03 +0000 /?p=100910#comment-5628 This is really upsetting. In times that crime is at an all time high isn't the education of our youth and the investment in prevention not a critical piece of the solution? It is sad that we are forced to make decisions based on the almighty dollar. Is it possible to have volunteers over see the program or have students requiring a practical learning experience pick up the slack?...what about local orgainzations who are already set up to offer programs, could the idea not be proposed that D.A.R.E be offered through or by them? I do realize that any program, even when over seen by volunteers, requires a budget but by using volunteers and students the cost could be decreased as would the time demand on current RCMP officers. Eliminating vital eductaion that prepares our youth for the future is going to add to the already overwheelming problems RCMP are currently dealing with. This is really upsetting. In times that crime is at an all time high isn’t the education of our youth and the investment in prevention not a critical piece of the solution?
It is sad that we are forced to make decisions based on the almighty dollar.
Is it possible to have volunteers over see the program or have students requiring a practical learning experience pick up the slack?…what about local orgainzations who are already set up to offer programs, could the idea not be proposed that D.A.R.E be offered through or by them?
I do realize that any program, even when over seen by volunteers, requires a budget but by using volunteers and students the cost could be decreased as would the time demand on current RCMP officers.
Eliminating vital eductaion that prepares our youth for the future is going to add to the already overwheelming problems RCMP are currently dealing with.

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