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This year, 36 million school children around the world, - 26 million in the United States - will benefit from D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). This highly acclaimed program gives children the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs and violence. D.A.R.E. was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles, and has proven so successful it is now implemented in over 75 percent of our nation's school districts and in 52 countries around the world.
The D.A.R.E. program has been successfully taught in Walpole for many years, but sadly, it has recently lost funding and support from some of it's most important contributors. While D.A.R.E. is still taught at one of the schools, it has fallen to the way-side for the remainder.
Luckily, Walpole Police Officers, realizing the importance of the program, have picked up the torch and started their own program based on the popular, successful model. Officers Tom Connor and Heather Sullivan have started their own school education program, and have begun speaking in the schools to children of all ages, and attempting to garner support for the program.
The new program covers a wide range of topics for elementary school children, subjects that are great for young kids, such as:
- Proper use of 911
- Drug awareness
- Stranger danger
- Bicycle safety
- Fire safety
- Gun safety...and much more.
We are very proud of these officers for taking matters in their own hands, and creating this wonderful program. With their hard work, and with support from parents and children alike, they hope to carry on with the program, and keep it going annually. If they can gather the support, hopefully the program will catch on, and we will be able to spread the lessons of safety to another generation of children.
Excited 6th Graders from Blessed Sacrament School where given their D.A.R.E. diplomas recently, to mark the end of another successful year of the popular program.
The program is led by Walpole Police Officer Tom Connor, pictured above at the recent graduation, and teaches children the dangers of drugs and alcohol, as well as many other wonderful lessons. Officer Connor has received specialized training to instruct this class, and is very pleased that he is able to pass on the positive message to a younger generation. The graduation was capped off with cake and refreshments. A wonderful time was had by all !!!
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