FIFTH-GRADER GIVES D.A.R.E. HIGH MARKS

I'm a fifth-grade student at Blossom Hill Elementary School and I just
finished the D.A.R.E. program. I feel that the D.A.R.E. program was a fun
way to learn how and why to be drug and violence free. It was definitely
worthwhile. In fact, I looked forward to Friday's D.A.R.E. time.

I love the way Officer Howard presented D.A.R.E. to our class. We had a
great opportunity to ask Officer Howard questions during D.A.R.E. box time.
I liked having a chance to meet a police officer and it made me feel really
safe to have him in my classroom.

I especially liked when he brought in the police dog. Officer Howard told
us stories that made us bend in half laughing. Some of the stories taught
us lessons, too. I feel D.A.R.E. is important because it will help keep my
future drug and violence free. I hope they have a D.A.R.E. program at Fisher.

The most important thing that I have learned from D.A.R.E. is that there
are a lot of different ways to stay drug and violence free. I have learned
many different things that I can do if I'm ever in a situation where I'm
faced with drugs and violence. Learning how to say "no" and make the right
choices will help me to stay drug and violence free in the future.

In D.A.R.E. I have learned what certain drugs do to you. I also have
learned that in order to stay healthy I have to stay away from drugs. All
this information prevents me from even thinking of trying certain drugs,
like marijuana and cocaine.

I also learned that some drugs, like the ones my doctor prescribes for me,
are all right for me to take.

I think it is essential to stay drug and violence free. Mostly because
drugs could stop me from reaching my goal of becoming a black belt in tae
kwon do. Being healthy is important, so I can do activities that I have fun
at. Just not being able to do something because I'm taking a drug would be
horrible.

Besides, drugs are illegal and aren't worth being put in jail. Spending my
birthday or Christmas in jail just isn't my idea of fun.

Violence can do that, too, and isn't worth it. To be perfectly honest, I
can't see why anyone would want to cause violence or take drugs. I know I
wouldn't, thanks to the D.A.R.E. program and Officer Howard!

Alexis D'Addio,
Los Gatos