“D.A.R.E. allows us to introduce police officers to the school, as well as teach kids about three gateway drugs – tobacco, marijuana and alcohol,” said retired Croton-on-Hudson Police Detective Cliff Gabrielsen.
Student Olivia said she is glad she learned about these three commonly used substances.
“It’s important to know about them because you need to learn which drugs not to do,” she explained.
Andrew added there are many reasons not to use drugs, especially at a young age.
“If you have too much alcohol, it can affect your growing,” he said.
The D.A.R.E. program has been a longtime collaboration between the school district and village Police Department, as well as the Croton Community Coalition, whose Chairwoman, Laurie Dean, spoke after the ceremony to parents in attendance.
“D.A.R.E. shows good decision-making is so important,” said Barbara Ulm, PVC’s principal. “Gabrielsen has made such an amazing difference here.”
Each student was given a certificate, bag and hacky sack as a reward for completing the program, and all walked away with intangible knowledge that will help inform good decisions as they continue to grow.
Student Jessica was quick to recite the five types of peer pressure she learned about in the program – friendly, tempting, positive, teasing and bullying.
“It’s important to know how to deal with peer pressure and how to say 'no,'” she said.
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