Students are about to kick off another year of the D.A.R.E. program at the Clarke Community Elementary School.
Osceola Police Department and D.A.R.E. Officer Jason Gibson heads up the program, which teaches local sixth-graders about good decision-making skills that help them lead safe and healthy lives.
The D.A.R.E. vision is “A world in which students everywhere are empowered to respect others and choose to lead lives free from violence, substance abuse, and other dangerous behaviors.”
Gibson teaches a 10-week curriculum to the students with lessons on how to act in their own best interest when facing high-risk, low-gain choices and to resist peer pressure and other influences.
The lessons cover topics such as tobacco smoking, tobacco advertising, drug abuse, inhalants, alcohol consumption, health factors associated with drug and alcohol use and peer pressure. The D.A.R.E. program teaches students good decision-making skills to help them lead safe and responsible lives.
At the conclusion of the 10-week program, Osceola Police Department throws a graduation party for the students who have successfully completed the program. The police department usually invites a guest speaker to talk to the students during this event. Last year, four Iowa State University football players traveled to Osceola to talk to the students about the benefits of making good decisions throughout life.
The police department is in appreciation of local businesses that donate resources to their D.A.R.E. graduation. Gibson said the graduation would not be possible without the generosity of local business donating food and drinks.
Ongoing contributors include Hy-Vee, Fareway, McDonalds, Schwan’s, Wal-Mart, KFC/Taco Bell and Subway. If you would like to contribute to the D.A.R.E. program in any way, contact Osceola Police Chief Marty Duffus at the Osceola Police Department.