Pubdate: Fri, 05 Aug 2005
Source: Free Lance-Star, The (VA)
Copyright: 2005 The Free Lance-Star
Contact:  http://fredericksburg.com/flshome
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1065
Authors: Rebecca Childress, Grace Hynden
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

THANKS FOR THE HELP WITH D.A.R.E. PROGRAM EVENT

Children are blessed with unlimited potential. Unfortunately, every year, 
hundreds of youth destroy their goals and dreams by using illegal drugs and 
engaging in violence and destructive behavior.

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program in Stafford County provides 
fifth-grade students with the tools they need to effectively resist the 
pressure to use tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana.

Students also form strong friendships with people who will act as their 
network of support as they navigate the challenging adolescent years.

A highlight for Stafford County students is D.A.R.E. Day. On June 1, a 
couple of thousand students and hundreds of parents and teachers descended 
on Pratt Park for the fourth annual event.

It was a celebration of the commitment to resist drugs and violence and 
also an opportunity for students to try their hand at a wide variety of 
interesting hobbies and career choices.

The event gave students an opportunity to connect with members of our armed 
forces and professionals from our community. Many students say it's the 
most memorable event of their fifth-grade year.

We'd like to thank Sheriff Charles Jett and school Superintendent Jean 
Murray for their strong support of the D.A.R.E. program.

Thanks, too, to the teachers, parents, and businesses who assisted in 
making the event possible.

Rebecca Childress

Grace Hynden

Stafford

Rebecca Childress is a deputy with the Stafford County Sheriff's Office and 
a D.A.R.E. instructor. Grace Hynden is a fifth-grade teacher at Winding 
Creek Elementary School.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom