Pubdate: Wed, 21 Apr 2004
Source: Leaf-Chronicle, The (US TN)
Copyright: 2004, The Leaf-Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.theleafchronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1601
Author: Lauren Howard
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

GROUP TRIES TO PUT SHIRTS ON STUDENTS' BACKS

Clarksville police are trying to raise enough money by week's end for drug 
education T-shirts for fifth-grade graduates of Drug Abuse Resistance 
Education.

For the first year since D.A.R.E.'s implementation in 
Clarksville-Montgomery County schools in 1989, officers don't have the 
money to buy the students T-shirts. The shirts reward kids for completing 
the course and pledging to stay drug free, while sending an anti-drug 
message to other kids, Clarksville police say.

Deputy Chief Larry Vaden said the T-shirts need to be ordered by Monday. 
Police lack about $3,000 to buy shirts for all 2,200 Montgomery County 
fifth-graders. Pals of D.A.R.E., a group of citizens who assist the 
program, organized fund-raisers and have already collected about two-thirds 
of the money, he said.

Barksdale Elementary fifth-grader Emmalee Clayton thinks the T-shirts would 
be a reminder to stay away from drugs -- and of the fun he's had during the 
program.

"It'll show we've been through the D.A.R.E. program and say no to drugs," 
she said.

This year's D.A.R.E. T-shirts display a Fort Campbell patch on the pocket 
to salute the soldiers, making the T-shirts extra special this year, Vaden 
said.

"Graduation day is important for them and to wear that T-shirt is an extra 
good feeling," Vaden said. "It's just something special for the kids. They 
earned it," he said.

Several schools and the schools' Central Office will raise money with a 
blue jean day this week. Everyone who wears blue jeans will contribute $2 
to the T-shirt fund.

Donations can be made at any Legends Bank to Pals of D.A.R.E.

Putt-Putt Golf & Games offers unlimited free putt-putt to D.A.R.E. 
graduates who wear their T-shirts. Even if the students don't get T-shirts 
this year, associate Jessica Smith said the business will continue 
rewarding D.A.R.E. graduates with free putt-putt.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager