SIXTH GRADERS DARE TO RESIST DRUGS

On Tuesday, May 31st, 6th graders at Memorial School in Middlefield
celebrated their DARE graduation. DARE is a program facilitated by the
local state police and taught by Trooper Tom Topulos and Officer
Halligan. DARE stands for Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education. In
the program, students were taught the effects of drugs as well as how
to effectively resist the pressures of illegal substances.

At Memorial school, DARE would take place for a period every
Wednesday. Officer Halligan and Trooper Topulos would teach students
about the dangers and effects of drugs and alcohol.

The benefits of having police officers teach DARE is two fold, in that
it helps students become more comfortable with police officers while
teaching them about drugs.

Allison Kennedy commented on DARE lessons saying "It was fun because
we got to do activities in our DARE book." Students participated in
activities that taught them about common myths, the effects of drugs,
statistics about drug users, and how to effectively resist pressure.
"We learned the DARE decision making model," said Erin Holden,
"Define, Assess, Respond, and Evaluate." Robbie Granger commented,
when asked about DARE classes, "What I liked most about DARE class is
when we learned what drugs do [to us] if we're stupid enough to take
them."

The evening of May 31st was the commencement of DARE lessons. Each
student received a certificate of completion for the DARE program, as
well as a T-shirt which was to be signed by supportive classmates. In
attendance to the commencement ceremony, were officer Halligan and
Trooper Topulos, teachers, parents, and Lucky #1 from the Rock Cats
baseball team. Lucky #1 spoke at the DARE graduation about the dangers
of drugs, and his personal struggle with addiction. "It felt good
knowing, that you knew where your life was headed. You know you will
probably be encouraged to take drugs.

It's good to have the courage to say no," said Tommy Ryan. "I felt
sort of excited because it's cool to graduate and I felt more grown
up," Geoff Bruno told us. When asked what he learned, Brandan Norton
said "Now I know what drugs can do to you, and how it affects sports
and school.

The students displayed a sense of pride having completed the DARE
program. Clearly this program has great benefits for the Regional
District 13 community, and will continue to for years to come.