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ESSAYS SHOW DARE TOUCHES FIFTH GRADERS' HEARTS

"My Dad is 42-years-old and is alcohol and chemical dependent.  Right now, he lives with my grandmother.  He does not own a car, because all his money goes to buy drugs and alcohol.  He can't hold a steady job, so he is 'self-employed.' He isn't allowed to see his children because he is violent and abusive.  He has no goals or future because the alcohol and chemicals cloud his thoughts.  To me DARE means that I don't have to spend my life like my Dad."

Branson fifth-grader Katie Elmore read this introduction and the rest of her first-place essay during DARE graduation ceremonies March 16 at Presley's Theatre in Branson.

More than 200 fifth-graders from Branson and Kirbyville were recognized for completing the 17-session program aimed at equipping youth to say no to drugs and alcohol.

As part of the course, each student wrote an essay describing what the program has meant to them.  During the ceremony, the winning essay writers were awarded cash prizes, thanks to community donations.

For Branson students, the top places were as follows: Elmore, first place; Niki McCall, second place; Ginessa Bird, third place; Jonathan Junge, fourth place; and Grant Chambers, fifth place.

For Kirbyville students, the top places were as follows: Jenny Wilson, first place; Lisa Greenwood, second place; and Chad Service, third place.

Corporal Darrin Jenkins and Officer Gina Geloso of the Branson Police Department led the DARE program in the two schools.  Jenkins said fifth grade was targeted for substance abuse prevention because research says these students are most receptive to such education.

"We have 17 lessons and actually there are only two where we sit down and talk about drugs," Jenkins said.  "In some we talk about self-esteem, anger control and gangs.  We also bring in high school role models so the kids can ask them questions and find out what high school is really like."

Other courses emphasized peer pressure, ways to say no to drugs and alcohol and being assertive, Jenkins said.

Kirbyville's first-place winner, Jenny Wilson wrote about her sadness that so many kids and adults make the wrong choices about drugs and alcohol.  She wrote: "A lot of people, mainly kids and teens, think it is cool to do drugs.  DARE has helped me realize it's not cool at all.  It is very stupid.  Kids and adults die all the time because of drugs.  Maybe there should be DARE for adults too."