HOULTON, Maine — Educating children on the dangers of drugs and alcohol has been the primary focus of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program for the past 21 years.
And while the types of drugs harming children may have changed over the years, the program’s message of saying ‘No’ to drugs, alcohol and violent behavior still rings true.
Houlton Police Officer Gary McGuire has served as Houlton’s D.A.R.E. instructor for the second straight year.
According to the organization’s website, the D.A.R.E. program was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles and has proven so successful that it is now implemented in 75 percent of the nation’s school districts and in more than 43 countries.
It is a police officer led series of classroom lessons that teaches children from kindergarten to 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence free lives. In RSU 29, the program is offered to fifth grade students at Houlton Southside School.
A total of 102 students graduated Friday during a special ceremony at the school.
“Our definition for a drug is any substance other than food that affects how a person’s mind or body works.” McGuire said. “We spent a lot of time focusing on alcohol and tobacco and how that affects our bodies.”
McGuire said one of the recurring questions that came up from students when discussing cigarettes was second-hand smoke.
“Many students asked ‘What can I do if I am in a car with someone while they are smoking?” he said. “I advised them to ask the parent or adult to stop smoking with them in the car. I also made them a promise that if I see someone smoking with a child in the car, I would initiate a traffic stop to issue a civil violation.”
In Maine, smoking in a vehicle in the presence of a child under the age 16 is against the law, regardless of whether the windows are open or not. The civil offense is punishable by a $50 fine.
Other topics covered by the D.A.R.E. program included taking positive risks, such as trying out for a sports team or school band; responding to peer pressure; dealing with stress; learning to communicate confidently; and how to handle bullying.
Supervisory Special Agent Shawn Gillen of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency also addressed the audience during Friday’s ceremony.
“Take control of your life,” Gillen encouraged the students. “Dare to dream and take risks. If you are not willing to work for your goals, do not expect others to. You are being prepared by your parents and teachers to shoot for the stars. I hope you chase your dreams and don’t feel that life has passed you by.”
Students submitted essays on what the program means to them, with three winners selected: Quinn White, top submission; Simon Banas; and Brandon Roshto. For their efforts, the trio was presented with “Daren the Lion” stuffed animals.
For more information on the D.A.R.E. program, visit www.dare.org.
