DRUG RESISTANCE PROGRAM RETURNS TO ABERDEEN SCHOOLS

Police Bring Back D.A.R.E. After Two-Year Absence

After a two-year absence, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program
is making a comeback in Aberdeen elementary schools.

D.A.R.E. replaces CounterAct, which was taught for two years by police
to Hub City public and private school students. Like CounterAct,
D.A.R.E. is a national program that teaches students how to recognize
and resist the pressures of drug and alcohol abuse.

"It was a collective decision within the department," Aberdeen Police
Officer Brad Erhardt said. "The idea was brought forth by (Police
Chief Don Lanpher Jr.), but the decision was made together."

Erhardt, who has taught D.A.R.E. and CounterAct for the Aberdeen
Police Department since 1995, said there are benefits to both
programs, but he's glad to see D.A.R.E. return.

"I think the deficiency with CounterAct pointed out by school
counselors is that it didn't really get into the specific drugs that
are harmful for you," he said. "With D.A.R.E., there are weeks when we
just talk about one drug."

Six Aberdeen elementary schools - May Overby, O.M. Tiffany, Lincoln,
First Baptist, Trinity Lutheran and Roncalli Catholic - have chosen to
take part in the program, which is designed for fifth- and
sixth-graders. Erhardt said D.A.R.E., which has been redesigned since
he last taught it, is now being presented in a 10-week program.
Previously, it was conducted over 17 weeks.

On Thursday, he was at May Overby Elementary School teaching the
program for the first time to Diane Johnson and David Kono's
fifth-grade classes.

He met each one of the students, learned about their interests, handed
out workbooks that will be used throughout the 10 weeks, and began
teaching about choices and consequences.

"One of the main benefits to this type of program is that it forms a
bond between the kids and the police," Erhardt said.

He said it's important parents get involved as well.

"It's the backbone of everything we're teaching," Erhardt said of
parental involvement. "It's a huge benefit for parents to be able to
talk to their kids about what we discuss."