MARSH NAMED LEESVILLE DARE OFFICER

Officer Prentice Marsh of the Leesville Police Department will begin
instructing students in city schools the Drug Abuse Resistance Education
curriculum.

"Officer Marsh has been with the police department for three and a half
years and was trained and certified by the Louisiana DARE Training Center
in August of 2003 as an instructor and school resource officer," said
Leesville Chief of Police Bobby D. Hickman.

Marsh has been living in Vernon Parish since he retired from the U.S. Army
in 1994 and has a bachelor of science degree in human services. He has been
married for 21 years and has two sons who attend school in Leesville.

"He has been an asset to our department by demonstrating his dedication and
commitment to the citizens of our community," Hickman said.

The DARE program, when taught with our drug and violence prevention, offers
students in the community a greater understanding of how important it is to
commit themselves to a drug-free life. The program is a collaborative
effort between law enforcement, education and the students.

The program is offered in 40 countries and in all 50 states. In the U.S.,
it is offered in at least 80 percent of all classrooms.

Leesville are taught for 10 consecutive days to students in the fifth or
sixth grade. When students complete the program, they have a better
understanding of how to avoid drug use and how it can escalate into random
acts of violence.

"The program offers the community a partnership between the Vernon Parish
school system, the Leesville Police Department and our children's parents,"
Hickman said.