UNITED CHRISTIAN D.A.R.E.s

20 students in the fifth- and sixth-grade classes at United Christian
Academy walked the line Wednesday in a graduation ceremony honoring
completion of the D.A.R.E. program.

The graduation set a precedent because it marked the first time the
Drug Abuse Resistance Education program had been offered in Dickson
County's only private school.

District Attorney Dan Alsobrooks said the UCA graduation "completed
the program" because the school's inclusion will make D.A.R.E.
available to all fifth- and sixth-grade students in the county.

Although it was her first experience with the program, school
administrator Mary Hammer said she could definitely see its merits -
teaching students how to deal with drugs, peer pressure and wrong
influences.

"And I think another thing that it does is give them a sense of
acceptance, a sense of belonging and also a confidence in dealing
with those situations," Hammer said. "And even with the T-shirts -
with everybody wearing the D.A.R.E. T-shirts on that special day,
teachers and staff wearing all the same shirt - it's been an a good
experience , supportive and all."

Dickson County Sheriff's Deputy Pete Rogers taught the 17-week class
at UCA, 784 Highway 46 S.

Rogers said he is one of three D.A.R.E. officers in the sheriff's
office. The Dickson City Police Department also has D.A.R.E. officers.

D.A.R.E. sessions focus on personal safety, drug use and misuse,
consequences of behavior, resisting peer pressure, building
self-esteem, assertiveness training, managing stress without taking
drugs, media images of drug use, role models, and how to avoid gangs,
according to the Tennessee Department of Safety Web site.

Rogers said the students initially thought the classes would be
boring, but they quickly opened up.

"They were like 'Aw, we know to say no to drugs. We know not to do
that,'" he said. "And they were all kind of hesitant to want to talk
to me when I first came. They weren't sure about police being in the
school, especially in a church school and I was carrying a gun. They
were all a little nervous, but I mean, after the first lesson,
everybody lightened up and they just enjoyed it."

One surprise of teaching the program in a Christian school was
adapting the lessons to the students, whose answers to questions
often reflected a religious message.

"I kind of had to mold the program to this school because a lot of
times you ask them, 'If you have a problem, how are you going to deal
with it?' And the kids would say, 'Well I talk to God.'"

Some of the exercises used in class included role playing, where
students would act out skits related to the topic, workbook
activities and games.

Every kid gets to say no to drugs, Rogers said. Some ways they
learned to do that included saying no thanks, giving the cold
shoulder, walking away, giving a reason or excuse, changing the
subject, avoiding the situation or simply refusing - repeatedly.

One activity Rogers used to teach students about self-esteem and
choices was called a self-esteem balloon.

"We talk about how the kids' self-esteem goes up and down and how to
bring our self-esteem back up when we're feeling a little down and
how to make somebody else feel a little better," he said.

Students competed in an essay contest on taking a stand. They were
asked to write about what they learned, how they feel about D.A.R.E.
and their commitment to stay drug-free. Essay contest winners
included sixth grader Levi Davis, first place; fifth grader Lauren
Louth, second place; and sixth grader Ann Hatfield, third place.

When asked what he liked most about D.A.R.E., Davis said he liked
doing the skits.

"The most fun thing was when we got to role play, like when we got to
act out stuff," he said. "I liked the peer-pressure one. I asked if I
could borrow a light and she said no. It was like, light peer
pressure. It wasn't heavy, so I just ran off. And she did teasing
peer pressure."

Hatfield said games were the best part.

"I think the most fun thing was when we got to =8A play games and we
were learning at the same time," she said. "He would ask us questions
and if we got them right we earned points and stuff."

Deputy Rogers said the students made the class fun.

"They're more friendly with everybody. I think I made them smile a
little more. They're an excellent group of kids."