Pubdate: Wed, 04 Oct 2006
Source: Natchez Democrat, The (MS)
Copyright: 2006 Natchez Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2205
Note: 150 word count limit on LTEs
Author: Wesley Steckler

SHEPPARD JOINS CONCORDIA PARISH DRUG EDUCATION PROGRAM

VIDALIA -- After completing the two-week training  program, Officer 
Bobby Sheppard said he is proud to be  Concordia Parish's newest 
D.A.R.E. officer.

Sheppard teaches classes for the Drug Abuse Resistance  Education 
program at Ferriday Lower Elementary School  every Wednesday.

After taking his own classes to prepare to teach,  Sheppard said he 
has an appreciation for what the  parish school teachers go through 
on a day-to-day  basis.

Sheppard said each day his class had instructors come  in and teach 
the officers from different parishes  lessons on different aspects of 
education, from child  behavior to adjusting from the field to a 
classroom  environment.

"The two weeks I spent in the classroom were very  demanding," 
Sheppard said. "They throw so much  information at us in so short of a time."

Now that it is his turn to teach, Sheppard said he  enjoys working 
with children and can tell he is making  a difference.

"I tell my group if they will respect me, I'll respect  them," 
Sheppard said. "These kids are intelligent and  they can tell if you 
want to be there with them."

"Their enthusiasm toward me when I teach lets me know  I've made an 
impact," Sheppard said.

In a press release Sheriff Randy Maxwell stressed how  important the 
D.A.R.E. program is for children.

"It's crucial to reach our children and get the message  across that 
drugs, alcohol and violence will be  detrimental to them, their 
families and their  communities," Maxwell stated.

"Bobby Sheppard is a perfect choice to serve as a  D.A.R.E. 
instructor. I know he is going to do a great  job with the students."

Sheppard said the program for students is broken down  into one 
lesson each week for 10 weeks.

One week, for example, Sheppard said he might teach  about the 
affects of tobacco and the next he might  teach about the affects of marijuana.

The children take quizzes, participate in group  projects and keep a 
weekly log about what they learned  in the class that day.

"It is my job to give them the factual knowledge about  drugs and 
give them the tools that they need to make  healthy choices and wise 
decisions in their lives,"  Sheppard said.

Sheppard said he has a profound belief in the program  and hopes he 
will remain a D.A.R.E. officer for a long  time.

"I just hope I will come into contact with these kids  in the future, 
see that they have become successful and  give some credit to the 
D.A.R.E. program," Sheppard  said.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine