Launched mid 2008, the DARE to Move On programme uses the principles of bibliotheraphy to help build and reinforce young people's own sense of who they are - their own unique skills and qualities. It also challenges them to look at the areas of conflict and turmoil in their lives and to help them overcome the obstacles in their path that have impacted on their behaviour to date, in order to empower them to lead more healthy, peaceful and fulfilling lives.
The programme is centered around a story by award winning New Zealand Author Mandy Hager called "Smashed". Mandy Hager is a recipient of the The Esther Glen Award for the novel "Smashed". This award is given to the author who is considered to have made the most distinguished contribution to literature for children.
In 2009, three DMO training sessions were held, Invercargill, Tauranga and Wellington. This programme is now being facilitated in secondary schools from Tauranga to Invercargill. Feedback received to date from participants, teachers and family is all positive.
John Graham and Jenny Corlet, presenting at a training session in Wellington
Positive comments from WellTrust
We at WellTrust congratulate the DARE Foundation for their introduction of the “DARE To Move On” programme in schools. This initiative appears to hit all the right buttons to make it effective.
What many people may not realise is that there is no real evidence that classroom education about alcohol and drugs delays or reduces alcohol and drug use. However, there is evidence showing that small group education interventions can be effective, in particular when the focus is on developing life skills.
From what we understand of this programme it appears to address the issues that ‘whole of class’ education programmes miss out on and so long as sessions are taken by trained and experienced facilitators I can see every reason why the programme could be particularly effective.
One hope we would have for any school running this programme is that the facilitator can access an alcohol and drug counselling agency for any young person who came to appreciate, during the programme, that he/she had a drug problem. Some who have been abusing drugs for a while may need one-on-one alcohol and drug counselling to help him/her address their issues.
Murray Trenberth/CEO WellTrust
