Like many programs, services and facilities in Richmond, the COVID-19 pandemic put paid to most, if not all, of it.
That included the Richmond RCMP’s DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program, which has been taught to all Grade 5 students in in the city for 25 years.
Fortunately, thanks to the passion and commitment of the detachment’s DARE officer, Const. Bal Kandola, the tradition has continued.
When the announcement to keep schools closed was first made, Kandola was disappointed at the prospect of not being able to teach the program for the final term of the school year.
As she says, however, where there’s a will, there’s a way.
She reached out to the Richmond School District and offered to provide the program in a virtual format.
Since then, Kandola has set-up her classroom in the Richmond detachment and started recording her lessons.
While she has had to adapt to having an empty classroom, Kandola is extremely happy she is able to continue to provide this valuable program.
“It’s been an adjustment to go online but I am so thankful that I’m able to reach my students,” said Kandola.
“I love teaching them so many great life lessons and giving them the tools which they can utilize in life.”
The DARE Program is an internationally recognized drug prevention program, with 10 weeks of lessons.
The goal of the program is to guide youth towards making healthy choices, not only about drugs, but in all areas of their lives.
As Kandola points out, however, the teaching is not a one-way street.
“I have learned so much from my students. I speak to my students about having purpose and spirit in everything they do in life,” she said.
“I learned that lesson from one of my student’s years ago. In the DARE Program, we speak to students about believing in themselves and being confident.
“I had asked my students what confidence looked like. One student said that I was confident because I taught them with purpose and spirit.
“As a police officer, I took pride in that statement as it shows that you can still have passion, purpose and spirit in the job that you do even after 20 years as a police officer. What you put out there is received.
“I so look forward to getting back to the schools and being able to meet such incredibly smart, intelligent, caring and spirited students in person.”
Kandola said she’s happy to be able to give DARE students skills they can use to cope with this current situation.
