On Thursday, Emma graduated from the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program at her school. All 5th graders are required to participate in the 2 month educational program designed to teach children the dangers of drugs and how to resist temptation with confidence.
We all know that sounds easier than it actually is. The police officer who spearheads the D.A.R.E. program quoted statistics that, quite frankly, were mind boggling. To hear that 6% of eight graders has tried alcohol is very discouraging. But, there is a silver lining. The 5th graders are taught how to resist temptation and peer pressure with confidence.
I loved that the dangers of drugs and alcohol were not the only emphasis of the D.A.R.E. program. The officer stressed the importance of using an assertive tone to refuse drugs and alcohol. He taught the children to confidently walk away from an offer to try drugs and/or alcohol and to be strong enough to stand up to friends who try to tempt you.
I have to say that as a parent, the D.A.R.E. graduation was a proud moment. You never know what the future brings, but at least I know that my daughter has both the education about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and the confidence to refuse them.
For more information about D.A.R.E., visit the official Web site.
Accepting her graduation certificate...a proud moment for all of us.
Looks like someone forgot to inform her of the dangers of the antics of her classmates! ;-)
Singing "United We Stand" with the 5th grade class.
Do you have a D.A.R.E. program in your community?
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