STUDENTS COMPLETE DARE

More than 40 students from Pietrini School and 30 students from North School
and a total of 63 from Passow School, all in Franklin Park, were awarded
certificates of graduation for completing the Drug Abuse Resistance
Education program, according to the office of Cook County Sheriff Michael F.
Sheahan.

The students participated in a 17-week, anti-drug curriculum designed to
equip them with the skills to resist peer pressure and the use of drugs. The
DARE program provides students with information on the dangers of drugs and
alcohol and teaches them decision making skills by providing positive
alternatives to drug or gang involvement.

DARE is a national program that is conducted locally by the Cook County
sheriff's office. The program puts specially trained sheriff's officers in
the classroom to teach grade school children about the perils of drug use.

"Law enforcement officials and educators must work together to convince
children of the dangers of gangs and drugs," Sheahan said. "By working
closely in classrooms directly with students, our officers are making a
tremendous impact."

The sheriff's office also offers DARE sessions for parents. This
five-session program covers topics such as parenting skills, warning signs
of drug use and factors that can lead to gang membership.