Doughnuts and drugs: What kids are asking cops during return of D.A.R.E. to Lebanon schools
Police leading a reworked drug education program that has returned for Lebanon fifth-graders opens the door to all types of questions.
"I've gotten the doughnut question," Lebanon Police Officer Jeremiah Vantrease said about law enforcement's supposed affinity with the food item mixed with more serious inquiries from students.
"One wrote me a paragraph about what a brother was doing," Vantrease said.
Another student referring to a family member asked Vantrease: "Why do people choose to overdose instead of living life to the fullest."
"Why do people use (drugs) like my mom," Lebanon Officer Richard Clark said about a question he fielded.
The D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program that is being reintroduced in the Lebanon Special School District after 17 years away has a new approach and an expanded message.
Sam Houston Elementary, where Vantrease teaches the program, held a graduation ceremony for students Tuesday in the school's gymnasium for four fifth-grade classes that now have gone through the 10-lesson curriculum. Three other Lebanon elementary schools are also going through D.A.R.E. curriculum at different schedules, said Clark who is the program coordinator for the department.
"We want to stop overdoses," Lebanon Chief of Police Mike Justice said about the business of police work "and we feel the best way is to catch them early."
D.A.R.E. curriculum has evolved in recent years from its "Just Say No" to drugs campaign to incorporate more real-life skills for students, said Tennessee Highway Patrol Sgt. Kasey Fitts, the state coordinator.
Good decision-making, handling peer pressure and making safe and healthy choices are part of the curriculum. Anti-bullying was another emphasis for Vantrease, who led the curriculum at Sam Houston. Vaping, which police described as rampant in middle schools where fifth-graders will go to next school year, is thoroughly covered by Clark at the schools he leads.
"One of my favorite parts was when (Vantrease) taught us about how to stay away from people (who are bad influences) and stay near people who are good for you," said Sam Houston fifth-grader Jillian Brooks, one of four classroom winners of an essay contest that leads to state competition.
Aliyah Fields, Zaila Marthel and Charlotte Grainger were also winners of the essay contest that leads to a state competition.
Students get workbooks with activities and a journal with each lesson, Clark said. A box to submit written questions is available when officers aren't there.
"Our students are exposed to so much these days and the younger we can start..." Sam Houston Principal Beth Allison said.
Lebanon police also showed Sam Houston students its D.A.R.E. police vehicle that was recently unveiled. The D.A.R.E. vehicle is Clark's assigned patrol unit that will be visible around town.
Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Revamped D.A.R.E. program back in Lebanon elementary schools
