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DARE team visits Kadena schools

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nestor Cruz
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
An Army, Navy and Marine military police team taught students at Kadena schools recently skills needed to avoid drugs, gangs, and violence, as part of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program. 

DARE is a series of classroom lessons designed to teach children from kindergarten through the 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives. 

The program is normally taught by civilian and military law enforcement officers. 

"I learned there are three ways to say 'no' to someone trying to get you to do something you don't want to do: you can be demanding, unsure or confident," said Hannah Lewis, Kadena Elementary School fifth grade student. "I also learned you can change the subject or use humor when someone asks you if you want to drink alcohol, use drugs or smoke a cigarette." 

Both students and teachers appreciated the time and energy put forth by DARE officers.
"[The DARE program] is great because it gives children a chance to have rapport with police officers and learn to obey and respect rules and laws which will help them stay safe," said Angela Rakestraw, Kadena Elementary School teacher's aide. 

DARE officers see the program as an opportunity to help children make wise choices in life and stay safe. 

"I wanted to become a DARE officer so I can educate people and help them stay away from tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs," said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Falls, who taught the DARE class for the first time. 

DARE officers go through a two-week training course before becoming part of the team. After teaching a mock class to the DARE staff, trainees teach school students as part of their "final exam." 

Department of Defense Dependent Schools officials will continue offering the DARE program in the future. 

"I'm coordinating with school administrators in the beginning of the next school year to plan a nine or 10-week course for the students," said Don Hobbs, DARE program point of contact for DoDDS - Pacific.