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Drug Abuse Resistance
Education |
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D.A.R.E., or Drug Abuse Resistance
Education, focuses on helping to teach elementary school
children across the country about the dangers associated
with the use of drugs and illicit substances. One of the
core principles of the D.A.R.E.
program is that knowledge is power. Through education
about the impact that drugs can have on their lives, students
are taught to use a thought process to properly evaluate
if drug use is something that they want to become a part
of their lives.
With
the increase in the number and potency of drugs in society,
the education of our young people is an essential element
in fighting its spread. Young people face an ever- mounting
wave of pressure today to use drugs to fit in and be considered
part of the "in crowd." Educating them about the many
pitfalls of drug use, including the long-term impact,
demonstrates that the real "cool" thing to do is to not
use drugs for a short-term high while sacrificing long-term
potential.
 The Page County D.A.R.E.
program places a sworn law enforcement officer in the
classroom teaching sixth-graders about the perils of drug
use. The D.A.R.E program is not just a training session
on how to say no. While it helps to teach students effective
methods to decline drugs when they are offered, it places
a great emphasis on the reasoning behind why he or she
should "Just Say No."
It is also extremely important that adults provide examples
for young persons to look up to. Young people often imitate
the behavior they are exposed to, so it is imperative
that adults provide a positive influence on children and
young adults. No adult should ever allow the excuse to
be given by a young person that he or she decided to try
an illicit substance because he or she saw or heard of
an adult doing it. Combating drug use is a community effort,
and the D.A.R.E. program
provides a powerful tool in this fight.
If you have any questions about how you can help with
the Page County D.A.R.E.
program, please contact
Deputy Aaron Good by phone
at (540) 743-6571. |
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