Pubdate: Sun, 15 Feb 2004
Source: Saratogian, The (NY)
Copyright: The Saratogian 2004
Contact:  http://www.saratogian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2100
Author: Thomas Dimopoulos
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

DEPUTY SHERIFF HELPS STUDENTS D.A.R.E. TO BE BETTER

SCHUYLERVILLE -- Several hundred people filed into the Schuylerville High 
School Auditorium Thursday night as Deputy Sheriff John E. Coltrain 
commanded the podium at center stage. The officer flicked the 'on' switch 
to a tape machine and the sound of a children's choir pumped through the 
auditorium's sound system. Backed by a contemporary beat, the tune cued 
more than 100 fifth graders to file into the auditorium, a sea of white 
T-shirts with the red 'D.A.R.E.' logo emblazoned across the front.

'I am starting my fourth year in the DARE program,' Coltrain says, of the 
drug prevention program he teaches in area schools.

Working out of the Saratoga County Sheriff's Department, Coltrain leads the 
DARE program -- Drug Abuse Resistance Education --in a number of area schools.

'I had friends of mine who were DARE officers. Through their (description) 
of the program, I realized it was something that I would like to try,' says 
Coltrain, who grew up in the Argyle area.

The program is a cooperative venture between education and law enforcement. 
Coltrain is a DARE officer at schools in Galway and Stillwater, Burnt Hills 
and Schuylerville Elementary School -- where fifth graders who have 
completed the 17-week program attended Thursday's graduation ceremony.

Schuylerville Elementary School Principal Michael Mugits has spent more 
than 25 years involved with students in all age groups.

'The information you acquire in DARE -- the skills, attitudes and 
characteristics you are encouraged to develop -- are the same skills and 
characteristics that will determine if you are a successful adult,' Mugits 
says.

The success of the DARE program in keeping kids off drugs has been a 
subject of debate around the country, but the program has undoubtedly 
succeeded in educating kids about drugs and providing a positive 
introduction to police officers.

Over the 17 weeks, the students and the officer have gotten to know quite a 
bit about each other. In the early weeks of the program, Coltrain says he 
learns about each individual's level of confidence and courage -- two 
characteristics imperative in a young person's development. 'Then I get to 
brag a little bit about myself,' says Coltrain, who has been an officer for 
six years. 'They all want to know about my gun and my handcuffs and all 
that stuff, so it does give me the opportunity to talk about real-life things.'

The level of appreciation is in the proof of the enthusiastic and 
spontaneous reaction from both students and parents at the ceremony's 
conclusion, making it difficult for Coltrain to get from the theater to the 
school cafeteria where the 'graduates' congregated for a post-ceremony 
celebration.

Coltrain estimates he has seen 'about 2,000 graduates' complete the program 
and maintains his availability to each one of the students on a one-one basis.

'I encourage them to contact me and I am trying to become a resource for 
them,' Coltrain says. 'For some kids, I'm the only one they'll talk to. 
They won't talk to parents. They might not talk to friends, so I offer 
myself to them as a resource. They need to be able to reach me, so I don't 
run and hide. I want them to be able to remain in contact with me.'

As each one of the fifth graders are handed certificates for completing the 
course, Coltrain extends a handshake.

The recurrent theme in their exchange is self-esteem and confidence. 
One-by-one, a handshake at a time, each is a bonding commitment that will 
last a lifetime.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom