Home News Ross County Sheriff Celebrates D.A.R.E. Graduates at Huntington Local Schools

Ross County Sheriff Celebrates D.A.R.E. Graduates at Huntington Local Schools

0
SHARE

Ross County Sheriff George Lavender Jr. visited Huntington Local School District on Thursday to congratulate the latest group of 5th-grade graduates of the D.A.R.E. program. The students, who completed the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) course, were recognized for their commitment to learning skills that will help them resist peer pressure and make healthy choices as they move forward in their education.

Sheriff Lavender praised Principal Matt Murphy and the 5th-grade teaching staff for their continued support of the D.A.R.E. program. He also expressed his gratitude to D.A.R.E. Deputy Pinkerton for his dedication and hard work in guiding the students through the curriculum.

“D.A.R.E. is such an important program in helping our youth understand the dangers of substance abuse and providing them with the tools they need to resist peer pressure,” said Sheriff Lavender. “I’m proud of these students for completing the program and confident that they’re now better equipped to make positive choices.”

The D.A.R.E. program is a national initiative designed to teach students, especially in 5th and 6th grades, about the risks of using tobacco, drugs, and alcohol, and to equip them with strategies to resist peer pressure. Through a series of classroom lessons led by uniformed police officers, the program provides students with essential life skills they can apply in middle and high school to avoid harmful behaviors.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, D.A.R.E. has been shown to significantly reduce substance use among students who participate in the program. In addition to offering lessons in substance abuse prevention, D.A.R.E. also emphasizes the importance of building positive relationships between law enforcement and the community.

Sheriff Lavender’s visit highlighted the ongoing success of the program and the crucial role local law enforcement plays in shaping the future of youth in Ross County.