Season of change for OPP program in Collingwood schools

New OPP KIDS program will replace D.A.R.E. locally; ‘We’re trying to give kids the knowledge and the ability to make good choices,’ says 31-year OPP veteran

Collingwood/Blue Mountain OPP Const. Trevor McKean has been named new community safety officer.Contributed image

It’s a time of change for Collingwood Ontario Provincial Police Const. Trevor McKean.

Not only did McKean start a new job as community safety officer with Collingwood/Blue Mountain OPP in September after 31 years of serving on the local force, but as part of his new duties he’ll be implementing a new school program called KIDS (Knowledge, Issues, Decisions, Supports). The program will replace the D.A.R.E. program which had been delivered at elementary schools in Collingwood for years.

“I wear a lot of different hats,” McKean told CollingwoodToday this week. “There’s a lot of knowledge I can bring to the table.”

McKean is taking on the role of community safety officer from Const. Marci Rivers.

McKean says the D.A.R.E. program served youth in the community well over the years, but with a change in command at Collingwood OPP also came some new ideas. McKean said the suggestion for switching to the KIDS program came from new detachment commander Insp. Loris Licharson.

“He was looking for ways to re-evaluate how we deliver our programs that will enhance our relationships in the community,” said McKean.

The KIDS program has been developed since 2013 by the OPP in conjunction with educators and community partners. Some detachments still use the D.A.R.E. program in elementary schools, including many in Simcoe County. Officers who deliver the program must participate in a training course.

The main differences between the two programs include that D.A.R.E. is heavily focused on the drug and alcohol component, is spread out over 10 sessions, and officers who present the program must have special training to do so.

As the KIDS program was created in-house, special training isn’t required and the information is instead spread over four sessions which can be tailored to the needs of each school. The program will be presented in 18 different sixth-grade classes at schools such as Admiral Collingwood Elementary School, Mountain View Elementary School, Connaught Public School, Cameron Street Public School and St. Mary’s Catholic School as well as schools within the Bluewater District School Board.

According to McKean, the program will also be delivered at Elementary School Catholic Notre-Dame-De-La-Huronie for the first time.

Topics covered in the four sessions are:

Youth and the law
Peer-to-peer relationships
Online and social-media awareness
Drug awareness

“We’re trying to give kids the knowledge and the ability to make good choices,” said McKean.

McKean said he has some challenges ahead, as in addition to implementing a new school program, he is also trying to modify the program so he can deliver it virtually as many current school board COVID-19 protocols outline that visitors are still discouraged.

“I’m excited about the challenge. I was looking for a change after 31 years. This is it,” said McKean. “It’s hitting the mark so far.”

The new KIDS program is slated to start in Collingwood schools at some point in November, however final dates have not yet been determined.