Pubdate: Wed, 09 Jan 2002
Source: The Southeast Missourian (MO)
Copyright: 2002, Southeast Missourian
Contact: http://www.semissourian.com/opinion/speakout/submit/
Website: http://www.semissourian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1322
Author: Jim Pinkston, Jill Pinkston
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

DARE PROGRAM HELPS STUDENTS MAKE CHOICES

To the editor:

We would like to thank the Scott County Sheriff's Department for once again 
providing the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program to the Kelso 
sixth-grade class. DARE classes were offered by Deputy Todd Irwin. He did 
an outstanding job of teaching, motivating and offering real-life scenarios 
to these students. The entire class wrote essays on ways to stay drug free, 
the effects of drugs and alcohol, how to say no to negative peer pressure 
and the plain truth about stimulants, depressants and hallucinogens. These 
essays were quite impressive.

A big thank you goes to classroom teacher Gayle Shaffer and superintendent 
David Newell. Their support was instrumental in the success of the program. 
The DARE graduation and reception were very nice and well-attended by 
parents. We hope this program will continue under the leadership of Lt. 
Brenda Schiwitz and Sheriff Bill Ferrell for many years to come. This is a 
great first step toward a drug-free life for our children.

JIM and JILL PINKSTON, Benton, Mo.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager