Pubdate: Thu, 6 Apr 2006
Source: Times Herald-Record (NY)
Copyright: 2006 Times Herald-Record
Contact: http://www.recordonline.com/services/contact.htm
Website: http://www.recordonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2544
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

KLR FIFTH-GRADER WINS DARE ESSAY CONTEST

Monticello - Fifth-grader De'ja Taylor is this year's DARE essay 
contest winner at K.L. Rutherford Elementary School.

KLR fifth-grade students spent several weeks studying with Officer 
Luis Velasco about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

The following is De'ja's winning essay:

"I am fifth-grade student at Kenneth L. Rutherford School. I am in 
the DARE program at my school. DARE is a program that teaches kids 
the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol on the human body. Officer 
Velasco talked to us about staying drug-free, avoiding violence and 
not hanging out with people who use drugs or smoke tobacco.

"I learned in the DARE program that people who smoke tobacco have 
more colds than nonsmokers do. Also, it is illegal to sell tobacco to 
anyone under the age of 18.  I learned alcohol affects the growing 
body of teenagers more than adults; one beer has as much alcohol as a 
glass of wine.

"Officer Velasco told us that marijuana and other drugs are addictive 
and illegal in the United States. A few wise choices, when someone 
wants me to smoke tobacco, marijuana or drink alcohol, is to say no, 
change the subject or play the skipping CD.

"Officer Velasco taught us in DARE that we have to deal with peer 
pressure every day and it comes in many different ways. Such as: 
Others may tease you, threaten you or fight you to get you to use 
drugs or alcohol.

"There are many young kids using drugs, smoking tobacco, drinking 
alcohol, or using all three. I really hope that people think about 
the effect these drugs have on their bodies before they try them. I 
think what I learned is important because it will help me in the 
future. I know the effects they have on the body and I want to grow 
up healthy and wise. In addition, I will be able to talk to my two 
younger brothers about drugs and alcohol and tell them it does not 
make them cool and alcohol and drugs can really mess you up. The 
greatest thing in DARE that was helpful was the DARE decision-making 
model because it made me break down the situation into parts that I can use.

"In conclusion, I promise I will keep my body free from drugs and 
alcohol so I will be able to make wise decisions about my life.

"I really think it is important to stay drug-free because you could 
concentrate better. You could get a better education, job and control 
your own life." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake