The South Eastman Rotary Club hosted their annual RCMP D.A.R.E. Fundraiser Luncheon at the Mennonite Heritage Village on Thursday.

RCMP Special Community Constable Dennis Redekop teaches the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program to grade six students throughout southeastern Manitoba. He says with marijuana set to be legalized in 2018, it is very important for children to learn how to make responsible choices.

"Lot’s of people are asking questions about the legalization of marijuana and Fentanyl too, a new type of drug that is just coming around here. I get questions from students even in grade six asking those questions about Fentanyl and marijuana legalization so they know about it already so it is good at that age to interact with them and tell them how to make responsible choices."

Redekop says not only does the D.A.R.E. program teach children the health effects and facts about drugs, it also teaches the D.A.R.E. decision-making model that will help with peer pressure, stress management, and bullying. He notes it is great to see the community come out to support their program at the luncheon.

RCMP Staff Sergeant Harold Laninga also spoke at the luncheon. He says, unfortunately, the RCMP is noticing that crystal meth is becoming more prevalent in southeastern Manitoba. He touched on some of the main drug concerns here in Southeastern Manitoba at the fundraiser.

"Obviously meth is a big concern, cocaine is a concern, crack cocaine, all that area of drugs but today I spoke specifically about marijuana in that with the impending legislation of marijuana in 2018 I think D.A.R.E. is so important to provide our youth with strategies that they can say no and they can resist the drug."