HOULTON — Early education about the dangers of drugs is one of the most important tools police have in their war on narcotics.
From Jan 14 to April 22, Patrolman Gary McGuire from the Houlton Police Department worked with fifth grade students at Houlton Southside School as part of the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. Each student learned about the dangers of alcohol and smoking. They also learned how to use the D.A.R.E. decision-making model (Define, Assess, Respond, Evaluate) to help them when making a tough decision. They also learned how to respond to peer pressure and bullying.
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D.A.R.E. — Jaron Brewer, a student at Houlton Southside School, reads his winning essay April 11 during the school’s DARE graduation ceremony.
As a culminating activity, students wrote an essay in which they shared what they learned, a time they used the D.A.R.E. decision-making model, and made a pledge to stay safe and be responsible in the future. The two essay finalists were Jordyn Tibbetts and Abigail Worthley. The winner was Jaron Brewer.
The D.A.R.E. program offers youth skills to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs and violence. The program was founded in 1983 and is now implemented in 75 percent of the nation’s schools and in more than 43 countries worldwide, according to Houlton police.
Houlton’s D.A.R.E. graduation was held April 11. Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin was the guest speaker and the three essay finalists read their essays. Parents and members of the community were present. Each student received a DARE t-shirt, necklace and diploma.
The following day, D.A.R.E. students watched the movie “The Croods” at the Temple Movie Theater in the morning and went to the Rollerama for skating and pizza in the afternoon.
