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photo by Marcus Frazier
Morgantown student Deneshia Davis shyly takes her D.A.R.E. certificate for completion of the program Friday morning. Davis was one of 265 students to complete the program, which was in its first year at the school. A deputy from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office taught the class.
Natchez school celebrates D.A.R.E. graduation
Published Sunday, May 4, 2008
NATCHEZ — As of Friday there are currently 265 fifth-graders who really, really don’t like drugs.
Morgantown Elementary School graduated its first batch of D.A.R.E. participants on Friday.
The graduation was the first of its kind in the Natchez-Adams School District.
One year ago school officials and members of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office began planning a way to bring the, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, program to the area.
Deputy Jack Smith had the honor of being county’s first D.A.R.E. officer.
“They love it,” he said of the student’s love of the program.
“What did you learn in class?” he asked a group of students.
“Don’t use drugs,” Chiquella Reynolds, 10, said. “They’re bad for you.”
School and law enforcement officials attended the ceremony as well as a handful of parents.
Sheriff Ronny Brown briefly addressed the students warning them of the perils of drug use and the importance of staying in schools.
“It takes kids like you to say no,” he said.
Brown also took time in his address to thank Smith for his hard work and dedication to the students.
Superintendent of the Natchez-Adams School District Anthony Morris also spoke at Friday’s graduation.
Morris reminded the students of the district’s commitment to their futures and the negative impact drugs would have on them.
Everyone at the graduation agreed the program’s freshman year was a success.
Fred Marsalis, Morgantown’s principal, said he is looking forward to the next year of the program at the school.
Morris said the district currently has no plans to expand the program past Morgantown’s fifth-grade.
Smith, also looking forward to the future of the program, said next year’s class should be even better.
Smith said some scheduling problems in the first year of the program made for a “bumpy ride.”
However Smith said those problems have been corrected.
And the correction of those problems show the school’s commitment to making the program a success Smith said.
But from he looks of Friday’s graduates the program is already a success.
Melody Pennington, 10, said she enjoyed the class and took from it a hope for the future.
“I wish no one would use drugs,” she said.
Comments
Posted by natchez500 (anonymous) on May 4, 2008 at 1:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
thanks adams sheriff dept for this program it is needed
i think the sheriff called it giving back and thats what you men and women do best keep up the good work sheriff dept
Posted by Mucasplug (anonymous) on May 4, 2008 at 6:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Local agencies work hard on projects like DARE but its all for not. Years ago studies found that this program was a complete failure. Not one percentage point improvement of success in communities that used it over ones that did not. Its just a total waste of money and energy, but it makes everyone "feel" good. Adams and Concordia Parish work hard on this program, its a shame that the public is unaware of the facts. Think I am making up this? Check behind me. Anyone with a computer can google, including newspaper reporters but they choose to not ruffle any feathers. Thats why we have run away drug problems millions of wasted dollars down the rat holes.
Posted by dwhitley (anonymous) on May 4, 2008 at 6:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The program is a successful one because if it deters one student from using drugs, it is a success. My hats goes off to all of those who try to make a difference in a young persons life.
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on May 4, 2008 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i remember this program!! and our officer was officer jackson!! she is one fine woman! i love this program and for a while they had stopped doing D.A.R.E. soo happy it's back!! keep up the good work
Posted by andy (anonymous) on May 4, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ITS ALL FOR THE KIDS AND PARENTS WE NEED TO SUPPORT OUR LAW OFFICERS IN GIVING THIS TO US I LIKE THE PART OF THE SHERIFF SAYING HE LIKES HIS MEN TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNTIY THAT SUPPORTS THEM THATS WHAT THE POLICE NEED SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT PAYS THEM THEY ARE HERE TO SERVE AND PROTECT BUT I HAVE HEARD SOME POLICE SAY WE PROTECT BUT DO NOT SERVE THANK GOD THE SHERIFF DEPT GIVES BACK AND ARE NOT KILLING THE POOR PEOPLE WITH TICKETS LIKE THE POLICE HAVE TO DO
Posted by jack (anonymous) on May 4, 2008 at 2:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i hope these kids take this home and get support from the family members great job officer smith 200 children i can only imagine really great job in teaching this and we all know it has to be at a young age to work we have needed this back in the school system for a long time thanks also to the supt of education dr morris, sheriff brown and the board of supervisors
Posted by ElGoodo (anonymous) on May 5, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Mucasplug: Local agencies work hard on projects like DARE but its all for not. Years ago studies found that this program was a complete failure. "
It sounds ugly but it is true. It doesn't work. There is data to suggest that programs like these only serve to exasberate the problem by exposing younger and younger kids, who would have never even heard of drugs, to a seedy drug culture.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on May 5, 2008 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kind of like sex education in elementary school. It just lets the kids know what is out there.
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