DARE PROGRAM SENDS IN BIG GUNS TO GET STUDENTS' ATTENTION

Dozens of students stood in awe Wednesday afternoon as a Blackhawk rescue
helicopter landed in a grassy field at San Gabriel Elementary School.

The helicopter brought pilots from the California Air National Guard to
Atascadero to deliver an anti-drug message to 100 sixth-graders who are
graduating from the 17-week Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, better
known as DARE.

But the sixth-graders were not the only ones to benefit from the talk. The
entire school was invited to the presentation, which focused on the
importance of positive role models and emphasized staying in school.

"We use the helicopter to capture their attention," said Tom Roberts, a
pilot with the Air National Guard. "Then we deliver our message: 'Stay in
school, say no to drugs, and you can accomplish anything.'"

The green helicopter was indeed impressive to students, who uttered comments
like "cool" and "awesome" while viewing the aircraft and its equipment up close.

"The landing was really cool," said 12-year-old Stacy Gould. "And it was
really interesting hearing what they were saying."

Another eloquent student appeared to have gained a lot from the hourlong
presentation.

"In order to get ahead in life you cant take drugs or smoke," said Joni
Barclay, also a sixth-grader. "You make one wrong life decision and it could
cost you your career."

Wednesdays anti-drug presentation involved the Atascadero Police Department
and the Atascadero Unified School District, said school resource officer
Brian Dana