Grudniski brings DARE to Slate Falls

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is offering a ‘DARE’ing new program to combat drug abuse in First Nation youth.
Slate Falls Const. Kyle Grudniski is one of seven NAPS officers trained to deliver the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program. This is the first year NAPS has offered DARE in any of the communities it polices after officers went through training in the spring.
“I’ve had so much fun speaking to the students and teaching them the program,” Grudniski said. “They’ve really taken to it. The students come up to me and tell me ‘I’m going to go home and tell my dad to stop smoking.’ The students get what the program is all about.”
DARE teaches kids the life skills they need to avoid involvement with drugs, gangs, and violence. The program goes beyond traditional drug abuse and violence prevention programs.
Grudniski said the program gives children the skills needed to recognize and resist the subtle and overt pressures that cause them to experiment with drugs or become involved in gangs or violent activities.
“The program is good because it coincides with our drug enforcement strategies,” Grudniski said. “It helps teach children about the harmful effects of drugs and substance abuse.”
Grudniski is working with both a Grade 4-6 class and a Grade 7-8 class.
He said it is even more important for the older students to take part in the program.
“We often hear from youth after they leave for high school that they were unprepared for the challenges they faced,” Grudniski said. “They say they didn’t know what they were walking into in the city. The program helps teach them about what drugs are and what they can do.”
DARE also promotes an anti-bullying message and how to avoid peer pressure. Grudniski said the program also helps opens lines of communication between law enforcement and youth.
The classes will graduate in March.
NAPS is also offering the DARE program in Attawapiskat and Marten Falls.