June ruled by DARE Accomplishments!

Schools

The following services was rendered at House Outeniqua:

• Brandon: substance abuse intervention groups
• Marco: sports and recreation groups
• William: dance groups

We have offered our service to all the schools in the George area. The lay counselors will be working with 4(four) schools at a time.

March Against Substance Abuse

The George Municipality had a March Against Substance Abuse on 6 June 2009. D.A.R.E was invited and participated in the march and made their services know to the Pacaltsdorp (George), area.

Youth Day

D.A.R.E had a table for display at the Youth Celebration at the Tembalethu Civic Centre on 16 June 2009. D.A.R.E services made know to Thembalethu community.

Gala evening

D.A.R.E representatives attended the Gala evening hosted by George Municipality where they received a certificate of honor of the services they have rendered to the youth.

Radio Talks

Brandon and Heinrich are venturing on the radio waves of Eden FM. The aim of the radio talks are to provide relevant information regarding substance abuse. The topics discussed on the radio regarding substance abuse ranges from how it affects the individual, family and broader community and includes types of drugs available on the market and the negative physical and social effects it has on the person; factors leading up to addiction; recovering from addiction; crime and substance abuse; etc. These info sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 15:30. Eden Fm is on 103.6Fm in the Karroo 93.8Fm at the Coast and on 87.8Fm in Hessequa Area wave.

Lay Counselor Training

Lay Counselor Training started again on 20 June 2009 and the attendees are sharpening their skills under the guidance of Dr Muneera Mohammed.

Battle of the Crews

Once a month D.A.R.E. hosts a Battle of the Crews competition at various areas in George.  The Battle of the Crews competition is part of D.A.R.E.’s secondary aim, which is youth development.  The competitions are held in order to provide a platform for youth to show-case their talent in the field of Hip Hop dance.  The Battle of the Crews competitions has been held since April 2008.

This year in June 2009, D.A.R.E. was privileged to partner with Heal the Hood, a Cape Town based organization which tours South African schools in order to encourage youth to maintain a clean and sober lifestyle by participating in positive alternative activities to drugs and alcohol.  The message Heal the Hood brings to the youth is “To Know Yourself is to Love Yourself”. 

Heal the Hood in partnership with D.A.R.E. hosted a Battle of the Crews competition in Pacaltsdorp on 26 June 2009 where seven (7) dance crews, including two (2) junior crews, competed against each other.  The following Battle of the Crews competition will be held in August 2009.