SIMI VALLEY'S DARE PROGRAM HAS PAYOFF FOR THE COMMUNITY

SIMI VALLEY - More than 1,000 students are graduating this month from
the DARE program that was established in Simi Valley 25 years ago.

It started in 1983 with 210 students and, as of the end of this
month, more than 35,000 Simi Valley students will have graduated from
the 17-week course designed to teach students how to say no to drugs,
avoid gangs and resist violence.

"It has long-term value for the community because it helps the
graduates lead productive, drug-free lives," Simi Valley police Lt.
Roy Jones said.

The Drug Awareness Resistance Education program emphasizes building
students' self-esteem and dealing with peer pressure and is used in
public and private schools throughout the city.

The latest DARE graduations began Tuesday and will continue through
Thursday at 14 local schools.

Parents of the DARE students, relatives and friends are welcome to
attend the graduation ceremonies.