Graduation for local D.A.R.E. program

June 6, 2014

by Michael Meier Boundary County Public Information Officer

The Internationally acclaimed D.A.R.E. program was developed by Officer Daryl Gates in 1983 to counter the increasing drug problem in the world. This program starts with 5th grade children and teaches them how to resist peer pressure and other influences regarding tobacco, alcohol, and all drugs including prescription drugs. Officers who participate in the D.A.R.E. Program are required to undergo 80 hours of special training including child development, classroom managements, and teaching techniques. High School classes require an additional 40 hours. The Bonners Ferry Police Department completed a ten week program with 76 Bonners Ferry fifth grade students, teaching those students how to say no! Students were required to write an essay on what the D.A.R.E. Program meant to them. The winners of the essay competition from three classes read their finished essays to an audience of teachers, parents and police officers and most importantly their peers. For graduation each student was given a D.A.R.E. Medallion, T shirt, water bottle, pencil, ruler, bracelet, and other D.A R.E. items as a memento and reminder of the D.A.R.E. Program. Graduating students shook hands with the Police Chief Bob Boone and the assigned Police Officers in the Bonners Ferry Police Department. Thanks to the Bonners Ferry Police Department for your service, and thanks to Super One Foods for providing the graduation cake. An additional 46 fifth graders graduate next week from Mt Hall and Naples Schools.