Jaindl Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. To Say No

Eighty-four Jaindl Elementary School fifth-grade students marked the completion of 10 weeks of D.A.R.E. training with Chief Michael Weiser Wednesday afternoon with a graduation excercise.

The students received instruction on the dangers of drug and alcohol use and dealing with peer pressure that could sway them to make inappropriate choices.

"You've been given the skills and information to live drug-free and violence-free lives," principal Diana Schantz told her students. "You've been given a foundation to form a positive path. Call on us for guidance, but no one can make these decisions for you. I'm confident you will proceed with good judgment."

Weiser, dubbed "Officer Mike," by the students, taught lessons on the consequences of drug, alcohol and tobacco use, in addition to tips on dealing with peer pressure and how to ask adults for help.

Essays read by six of the D.A.R.E graduates were the indication of the program's influence.

"I learned how to simply just say no," said Emma Hochstetler in her essay. "When we get pressured in higher grades to use drugs, we'll say no."

All of the essays read touched on the lessons learned about the perils of marijuana use, the side effects of alcohol abuse and the health risk of cigarette smoking.

Most, if not all of the students, touched on how much fun they had when Weiser brought the department's police dog to class.

"Life is a challenge. It's a roller-coaster. It will be tough to say no to drugs, alcohol and tobacco through peer pressure, but you will do it," Weiser said.