Pulling into the parking lot of the
Huntersville Athletic Park this past Monday, I noticed six Huntersville Police Department vehicles. It can be alarming to see so many squad cars all in one spot. Thankfully, the police activity was the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Summer Camp.He had been looking forward to this week since last year when his cousin told him, "It's SO awesome. You HAVE to go!" The van's automatic sliding door could not open fast enough. I lost sight of him as he disappeared into a pack of rising sixth-grade dudes shifting their feet back and forth.
Officer
Kristie Brafford heads up the DARE program for Huntersville elementary schools and has expanded that program into a summer camp for the second year. The Huntersville Police Department sponsors two one-week DARE camps for rising sixth-graders.Campers spent the week learning about Internet safety. They were introduced to the Huntersville Police Special Response Team, which is a specifically selected, trained and equipped team of officers that can respond to high-risk incidents and conduct tactical operations.
Students were able to meet the Huntersville Police K-9 team and work with the Traffic Safety Team by driving golf carts while wearing Fatal Vision goggles, which simulate visual impairment caused by alcohol or other drugs.
In addition to all the great life lessons learned at DARE Camp, students also had plenty of time for new and fun experiences. Last Tuesday, campers went to the U.S. National Whitewater Rafting Center to go eco-caching (a high-tech treasure hunt program that focuses on environmental education), flat water kayaking and rafting.
On Thursday campers enjoyed a day at Carowinds with Officer Brafford and her fellow officers. The Huntersville Family Fitness and Aquatic Center also invited the DARE campers to use its pool facilities during the week.
Several local businesses, including Chick-fil-A, Fox's Pizza and Bi-Lo, helped sponsor the camp by providing lunch.
For more information about the DARE program and summer camps, contact the Huntersville Police Department at 704-875-6542.
Retro Bill was a huge success in Caswell County. He
delivered his message to over 1800 Caswell County Students ranging from Pre-K to
8th graders. Retro Bill also gave an outstanding motivational presentation to
over 190 Adults and Children at the Family Show at Dillard Middle School.
Sheriff Welch, 1st. Sgt. Adkins, Principle of Dillard Middle Mr. Scott, and
Retro Bill were special guests on WGHP Fox 8 on The Morning Show on April 14,
2008. The presentations were supported by the Caswell County Community
Collaborative, Caswell County Schools, Caswell County Sheriff's Office, Farm
Bureau Women's Committee, and F.O.P. Lodge #72.
Top cop takes top honors
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Aug 01, 2007 - 12:40:43 pm CDT
Caswell Messenger Editor
Caswell County's
top cop recently took top honors at the 2007 International DARE (Drug Abuse
Resistance Education) Training Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
Caswell County Sheriff Michael Welch was named the 2007 DEA/DARE America Law
Enforcement Executive of the Year. Deputy Administrator of the Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA) Michelle Leonhart
presented the award at the annual awards banquet attended by more than 5,000
DARE officers from around the world. During an inspirational acceptance
speech, Sheriff Welch praised the citizens of Caswell County saying, "our DARE
program is what it is because of our citizens."
In addition to the international honor, the Caswell County Sheriff's Office
was awarded a $1,000 grant.
The Caswell County DARE car also brought home 2nd place in the Active Car
Class of the Annual International DARE Car Show. There were a total of 37
vehicles entered in the competition.
The
Caswell County DARE car, driven by DARE officer 1st Sgt. Mike Adkins to DARE
classes and special events promoting the DARE program, is a 1993 Saleen
Mustang that was confiscated from a local drug dealer in 1998 and turned into
a registered DARE car by Sheriff Welch in early 2003.
Sheriff Welch, 1st Sgt. Adkins and Sgt. Brian Jones all received extensive
updated DARE training, which included a wealth of information on the new DARE
Community Program, which the officers hope to implement in Caswell County
soon.
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Wake Forest Police Department |
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Officer Graham & Stormy |
Always strive to be your best
Caswell Messenger
By Editor Shannon White
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Retro Bill, above left, the official DARE Safety Buddy, took time out after Monday's evening show to sign autographs and talk to local children. CCSO 1st Sgt. Mike Adkins arranged for the shows, sponsored by the Caswell County Community Collaborative, Caswell County Sheriff's Office and the Caswell Farm Bureau Women's Committee. |
Apr 27, 2007 - 05:01:15 pm CDT Dreams do come true.
But those
dreams can be shattered in an instant if you don't play it safe and make good
decisions.
That was the message "Retro Bill", the official DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance
Education) safety buddy, brought to Caswell County students and their parents on
Monday.
"Retro Bill," whose real name is Bill Russ, traveled from Hollywood, California
to present his nationally acclaimed "Safety and Self-Esteem" show for nearly 700
local youth during two performances at the Caswell County Civic Center.
"Retro Bill" used humor, sight gags, sound effects and even a rubber chicken to
address such serious topics as the importance of avoiding drugs and alcohol,
peer pressure, self-respect and open communication among families.
The audience howled with laughter at the funky performer's onstage antics but
hopefully took away the message he brought with him - that each and every one of
us are special and important and that we have a community of support to help us
make good decisions every day.
"I'm honored
to be in a county where people reach out and care," he told the audience during
the evening performance.
Parents, teachers, children and law enforcement officers were invited to the
stage to offer a visual example of what he said was the best way to explain to
others what the DARE program was all about.
"This is DARE," he told the audience, gesturing to the individuals lined across
the stage. "DARE is law enforcement, educators and parents working together to
help YOU [children]."
"Retro Bill" praised the Caswell County Sheriff's Office, calling special
attention to DARE officer 1st Sgt. Mike Adkins, who with the support of Sheriff
Michael Welch, Caswell County Schools and several community based groups,
organized Monday's event, which capped off the 5th grade DARE classes conducted
across the county over the last few months. Each elementary school will be
holding DARE graduation programs over the coming week. 1st Sgt. Adkins said he
hopes that as these children end their elementary school careers and move on to
the middle school they will take with them the knowledge that they are important
and that they have a wide support group here in the county to encourage and
support them as they practice the good decision making skills they have studied
in the DARE program.
As the performances came to an end, "Retro Bill" reminded the audience that they
were fortunate to have such dedicated law enforcement in the county.
"I've been riding around with them, hearing them talk about their jobs and their
county. They don't talk about arresting people, they talk about protecting
them," he said. "That is law enforcement at it's purest."
"You only live
once," he reminded the children. "Make it count."
The "Retro Bill Safety and Self-Esteem" show was brought to Caswell Country with
the support of the Caswell County Community Collaborative, the Caswell County
Sheriff's Office, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #72, Caswell County
Schools, and the Caswell County Farm Bureau Women's Committee
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Union Co. students graduate from DARE
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Students at Indian Trail graduated from the DARE program on Friday. |
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INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. -- More than 130 elementary students said "no" to drugs, alcohol and smoking on Friday. The students at Indian Trail Elementary School graduated from the DARE anti-drug program. It’s controversial because some studies show it doesn't work, but that hasn't stopped Union County from drilling the message home to its students.
All 135 students at Indian Trail Elementary marched to support a drug-free life Friday. They’re the new soldiers in the war on drugs.
"Because we're in war, I want the boys and girls to understand the harmful effects of drugs,” said DARE officer Margaret Derange.
The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, or DARE, is used in 80 percent of elementary schools nationwide. During the eight-week program, kids learn how to say "no" to drugs, alcohol and peer pressure.
"Alcohol can lead to coma or death if you take too much. Marijuana is really bad for you and can lead to coma or death, too," said student Kandance Ryhne, a DARE graduate.
The students are taught to “define, assess, respond and evaluate,” but since the program began 20 years ago, studies have shown it can be ineffective or counterproductive, which can be worse than doing nothing at all.
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Some say DARE is an ineffective program though. |
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In 1994, the surgeon general called DARE an "ineffective program." The Department of Education prohibits schools from using federal money to fund the program. In Union County, the sheriff’s office pays the bill.
"They are going to learn about these drugs. If we get them at a very young age it helps us, and it helps them to understand. They're going to meet someone on the street and they're not going to have any information,” Derange said.
Kandace Ryhne's father is glad his fifth-grade daughter now has the information and says he supports the DARE program.
"I'm tickled to death that they really do have it. If not, then I’d prefer she went to a school that did,” said Harold Rhyne.
Parents and teachers just hope these new DARE graduates will use the knowledge the program gives them.
Coach
Gladys Mcclary after 9 years, 4 Conference Championships and a
whole bunch of victories, stepped down as the Womens Basketball coach at
Goldsboro H.S.. Coach Mcclary has been a strong supporter of the
D.A.R.E. program for a number of years, she has spoke at many of the
graduations, giving our young people a positive message about life. She
has had three children that went thru the D.A.R.E. program one who is at
home, one daughter who is playing basketball at Norfork State
University, Va., and a son who plays football at Elizabeth City State
University. Coach Mcclary will be missed, she has done nothing but good
for the community and our young people, that is why she was recognized
by the Goldsboro Police Dept. D.A.R.E. program.
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DARE car from Jones takes first prize
TRENTON - A snazzy DARE vehicle gets double takes from passers-by who notice the Jones County Schools' sports utility vehicle that recently took first-place in a state competition.
Chief Shawn Williams said the vehicle he drives as the schools' Drug Abuse Resistance Education officer for Jones County Special Police has been attracting attention since it was decked out with DARE decorations for the competition.
Sometimes, he said it concerns him, the way drivers stop paying attention to the road to eyeball the DARE vehicle. Other times, his vehicle is like a public relations display, prompting waves from parents and schoolchildren.
"It's recognition for the schools, the students love it and it's good advertising for DARE, for the program," Williams said.
On the vehicle's doors, the word "DARE" is written in silver metallic paint edged in red. It also has DARE's mascot, "Daren," the lion, who stands for courage. On a back panel of the vehicle, it reads Jones County Police.
Jones County Schools' had never entered a vehicle in the DARE competition before this year's entry, which took first in its category at the N.C. DARE Officers Association conference in Charlotte earlier this month. Other categories included patrol vehicles and vehicles acquired through vehicle seizures, he said.
Williams, who has been a DARE officer for 10 years, said he gives DARE lessons to fifth-graders as part of a 10-week course and teaches a 10-day program to seventh-graders. The focus is on preventing youngsters from experimenting with what he terms the gateway drugs, including alcohol, marijuana and tobacco, which are dangerous themselves and also can lead to other drug use.
He said he is rewarded when he sees "the impact on young lives when they begin to understand the real truth about drugs" and the damage they do to people.
Students don't forget their DARE officer, he said, adding they often approach him years later.
"They remember you forever," he said.
Williams said the vehicle brings attention to the DARE program. After a DARE vehicle from Jacksonville placed first in its category at last year's conference, he decided to hire the same graphic artist to embellish Jones County's DARE vehicle.
He said he was proud to bring first-place recognition to Jones County and perpetuate recognition for eastern North Carolina.
"(It's) quite an accomplishment for two agencies in the eastern part of the state to win," he said, referring to the DARE agency in Onslow County.
Gene Thompson, graphic artist and owner of Sign Works in Jacksonville, said he also designed a vehicle for Jacksonville this year that was recognized, and its vehicle last year won national recognition.
"We're knocking them out down here, aren't we?" he said.
K.J. Williams can be reached at 635-5664 or at kwilliams@freedomenc.com.
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The word Drug is defined as "any substance other than food that can affect the way your mind and body work." There are hundreds of different drugs, each with its particular effect on the body's nervous system. Narcotics are a series of drugs that affect the mind, causing mental changes. The United States Government will not allow any new drug to be prescribed by a doctor or sold by a pharmacist until the drug has been thoroughly tested and proven to be medically safe. These tests take as long as years before they are approved for use by the public; and even after they have been approved and sold for years, serious side effects may appear and the drug is removed and discarded for any further medical use.
Unstable drugs, referred to on the streets as Crack, PCP, Ice, LSD, Speed and many others, are made
up of several chemical substances which are made illegally in hideaways without proper equipment or skills to carefully measure exact
proportions - resulting in a drug that no one knows what the after-effects will be.
FACT: Unstable drugs are responsible for killing thousands of young people experimenting with drugs each year. Those who
escape death are sometimes confined to a mental institution.
Dramatic Changes in Behavior
Signs of Physical Deterioration
Identification with Drug Culture
Signs of Drugs and Paraphernalia
Dramatic Changes in School Performance
We are taught as children to avoid danger. In the our world there are small creatures like snakes
and spiders that if they bite or sting you, you will die. Over 30,000 people a year die from snake bite alone. Just the sight of such living
things sends a message of DANGER to the observer and one stays away. There are other dangers out in the world that take more lives
than the attacks totaled from those living creatures. The sad part is people who suffer from these killers place them into their own bodies.
The end result is the same. So what is the difference?
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TALKING POINTS |
| · D.A.R.E. was created in 1983 in Los Angeles as a revolutionary educational program to
teach children about the dangers of drugs. Starting with just 10 officers--now over 50,000 officers are trained and certified to teach
D.A.R.E.
· 20 years ago America’s children received virtually no school-based drug prevention education. Today millions of children benefit from the D.A.R.E. elementary curriculum every year. · Because of D.A.R.E.’s success, local law enforcement agencies and school districts throughout the country and the world requested and adopted the D.A.R.E. curriculum. · Currently D.A.R.E. has expanded to all 50 states and 53 other countries and is being implemented in 80 percent of our nation’s school districts. · Numerous independent studies have substantiated the effectiveness of D.A.R.E. as a drug and violence prevention program. For examples of the latest research on D.A.R.E. visit our website at www.dare.com · Even the most critical research on D.A.R.E. indicates positive short-term effects. Based on this effectiveness at the elementary level and the research consensus for reinforcement, we are continually promoting the expansion of D.A.R.E. into the middle and high schools. · The marijuana legalization effort across the country and the passage of so-called 'Medical Marijuana' propositions has had a great impact on teen's attitudes toward marijuana and their subsequent increase in use. · We know that D.A.R.E. is not a silver bullet. One year of D.A.R.E. or any other prevention program does not provide a lifetime inoculation against drug use. However, D.A.R.E. provides an important foundation to build strong prevention efforts, and is the largest and most consistent drug education delivery system in the world. · School-based drug prevention and the D.A.R.E. program must be a part of an overall national prevention strategy that includes continuous education, plus strong community involvement, parental influence, and consistent anti-drug messages from the media, and political leaders to supplement school-based prevention education. · Most studies indicate that the one key positive element that separates D.A.R.E. from other programs is the high quality teaching and delivery of D.A.R.E. by uniformed officers. · D.A.R.E. is consistent with an integrated community policing approach in which students develop a positive attitude toward law enforcement and acquire greater respect for the law. · According to a National Gallup Survey of students who completed the D.A.R.E. program, more than 90 percent of those polled believe that D.A.R.E. provided them with the skills to avoid drugs and alcohol and increased their self-confidence in dealing effectively with negative peer pressure. · D.A.R.E. is not a government program but a non-profit organization. D.A.R.E. officers’ salaries are paid by local law enforcement agencies, the total cost of D.A.R.E. for one child, from kindergarten through 12th grade, is just $12.50. This compares to $40,000 per year for incarceration and up to $800 per day for drug treatment.
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Teens With Body Piercings Take More Risks |
| A new study links body piercings with risky behaviors such as smoking, drinking, skipping
school, and fighting, according to study author Dr. Timothy Roberts of the University of Rochester in New York.
According to Roberts, females with body piercings were 2-1/2 times more likely to have had sex, 2-1/2 times more likely to have smoked, 2-1/2 times as likely to have used marijuana in the past month, and two times as likely to have skipped school in the last year. Boys with piercings were five times as likely to have skipped school in the past year and were similarly at risk for smoking and drinking. While body piercing beyond the ears is becoming more mainstream, Roberts said that parents should be concerned because it signals rebellion. 'If your adolescent wants to have a body piercing, it is a reason to talk to them,' he said. The study's findings were presented at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies in Baltimore, Md.
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Cigarette Use Reaches 10-Year Low |
| For the fourth year in a row cigarette use among high school students decreased or remained
stable.
The percentage of 8th and 10th grade students reporting using cigarettes in the past 30 days continued to decline, reaching 10-year lows of 12% and 21% respectively. Past 30 day cigarette use among 12th graders, which has been decreasing since 1977, remained stable at around 30%. Source: National Monitoring the Future survey
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