An annual campaign is continuing to boost DARE Timmins.
Tim Hortons' Smile Cookies, which were sold in September, raised $30,722 for the local programming run by Timmins Police and the South Porcupine OPP.
“The support from the community for the Smile Cookies is unbelievable. I don’t know if it’s because they’re so good or if they’re supporting the DARE program, I like to think it’s a mix of both,” said Rick Lemieux, Timmins Police DARE officer.
The cash will be used to buy books for the program, along with other items such as the DARE lions, and leadership camp.
While the program used to be about drug prevention, Lemieux explained it's about a lot more these days.
“The new program is more of an evidence-based, decision-making skills program. So we give them tools on how to react to situations with drugs or without drugs,” he said.
Lemieux said it gives students the tools to make the right decisions for them. It also talks about reducing stress, peer pressure, communication, effective listening, bullying, along with drugs, tobacco, alcohol and marijuana.
“In no way do we tell students or anybody what to do, we’re just giving them tools to make the choice that they want to make,” said Lemieux.