HUNDREDS OF KIDS GRADUATE FROM ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM

Wise Demonstrates Clogging Skills To DARE Graduates

Jubilant elementary students packed into the Charleston Civic Center to
commit themselves to a life without drugs, alcohol and violence.

More than 400 students graduated Wednesday from the Charleston Police
Department's Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

Offered since 1990, DARE is designed to make kids from around the state
aware of the dangers of drug abuse and what they can do to resist the lure
of crime.

"I think we are lucky to have a program like DARE to help us," read
Caroline Nelson, a fifth-grade student at Overbrook Elementary, from an
essay she wrote about the program. "Now I know about the consequences . . .
of the unwise decision to do drugs and alcohol."

The graduation was a festive affair, with Gov. Bob Wise and members of the
Charleston Police Department in attendance to reward the kids for their
dedication to the cause. Wise later treated the children to an exhibition
of his famous clogging skills.

"I'm a big fan of DARE," Wise said in his address to the 12th graduating
class of the program. "Working together, I pray one day we can make a
drug-free state."

Treated to a jump-rope exhibition and popular music, the students danced
and mingled with police officers.

Among the more popular items of interest was a 1971 Chevelle hot rod,
complete with flashing blue lights and a blaring siren.

Zach Cooper, 10, a fifth-grader from Grandview Elementary, declared the car
the best thing about the ceremony. He called it "cool."

In his address to the kids, Lt. John Shannon told them that the event was
"a celebration, a commitment you've made. You've committed yourselves to a
lifetime being drug free."

Sgt. Valerie Strege, one of the program's instructors, thinks the program
is doing what it was designed to do: give kids an awareness of the drug
problem and what they can do to prevent it.

She said their efforts are obvious when former students come to her and
tell her about the impact the program had on their lives.

That impact was evident Wednesday, with throngs of children eager to extol
its virtues.

"It was great," said Jeremy Taylor, an 11-year-old student at Grandview
Elementary. "I won't do drugs because it messes up your mind."

Taylor said he plans to be president one day and do something to stop drug
abuse.

During closing remarks, Shannon had important words for the new graduates.

"Some generation has to stop the madness of drugs and alcohol," he said.
"You can be the ones to say, 'This is going to stop with us.' "

For Taylor, that message hit home.

"One day, it will all end," he said.