SOMERSWORTH -- Fifth-grader Michael Ainaire said he knew a little about drugs before the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program, but feels much more informed now.

"Now I know about how horrible drugs really are," he read from his essay about what he learned during the 17-week program. "Thank you DARE. Now I know how to keep myself healthy."

Ainaire and Courtney Standwood read their winning entries about the program during the DARE graduation ceremony on Friday morning.

"In this day and age education is extremely important," Middle School Principal Paul Maskwa said. "For us as a school it's important to make a strong stand with a clear anti-drug message."

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