POLICE LEAD MIDDLE SCHOOLERS THROUGH DARING LESSONS

WASHINGTON TWP Since 1991, township students of all ages have taken part in
a program that could one day save their lives.

Sgt. Mark Niemynski and Cpl. William McCarthy are the two police officers
assigned to tackle a most formidable task: to teach students throughout the
district to steer clear of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

They are the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) officers of the
township who tell students in no uncertain terms what the future may hold
for them were they to fall prey to drug abuse.

"We talk about consequences," McCarthy said. "Going into a classroom once a
week is not going to stop the drug problem but by teaching and giving
students information (about the consequences of drug use), they can take
that information and make a grown-up decision."

"If they make a wrong decision," McCarthy said, "I tell them I would arrest
them."

DARE Graduation

As part of the DARE program at Long Valley Middle School, a May 28
graduation ceremony was held to mark the culmination of the 16-week course
given to the 375 fifth-grade students who attend the school. Awards were
presented to 10 students who wrote the most compelling essays about DARE.
The winners received a certificate of achievement from Assemblyman Guy
Gregg, R-Morris, a gold medallion ribbon and a stuffed lion the DARE mascot.

Bullying and bias are among the topics each student learns during the
six-month course which not only offers each child techniques on how to
resist drugs, alcohol and tobacco, but why that is so important to do. As
10-year-old Vincent Infinito put it, "To me, DARE means for the wellness of
children. To stay drug-free and happy."

DARE programs begin as early as kindergarten and continue through
eighth-grade according to McCarthy who said bullying, bias, underage
drinking and domestic violence are among the topics students are taught to
deal with over the years.

When first entering elementary school, students are taught about "stranger
danger," a program to deter kids from meeting with adults they don't know.
They also learn about unsafe practices such as riding a bicycle without a
helmet, said McCarthy who admits that while his youngest students in
kindergarten may not have the ability to remember everything they are
taught, they do remember one thing.

"Their attention span is not that great," McCarthy said. "It's like show
and tell to them. But they remember you."

By the time a student reaches fifth-grade, he or she is better equipped to
handle the harsher realities of drug abuse taught by DARE officers.

"They're like sponges," McCarthy said. "They retain it."

"I tell them a story about two roads," McCarthy said regarding how he
teaches students about the choices they can make in life. "I'm walking down
one road where I'm congratulating them at their college graduation. On the
other road, I'm walking towards them with handcuffs."