partly

Myr is in fifth grade and fifth grade is where the schools/police offer D.A.R.E. -- Drug Awareness and Resistance Education.

They go through several classes where a police officer comes in and talks about different situations where drug use could come up, things to watch out for and how to deflect peer pressure and the like. At the end of the session the kids all write an essay telling about what they learned in DARE. Each of the essays are judged and a First, Second and Third place is chosen for each class. Then there is a district wide "graduation" where all the classes go, everyone gets a certificate of some sort (I think) and all the first place winners get to read their essays.

Myr won first place in her class. YAY! So, just 'cuz I can, I'm posting her essay:

D.A.R.E. to Live
Hello, my name is Myria. The sun is rising on drug and alcohol abuse, people are pressuring kids to use them, but I will not fall because of what I learned in D.A.R.E.

D.A.R.E. scared me at first. Like after a lesson on types of peer pressure I thought that the minute I stepped outside somebody was going to pressure me to use drugs. After a couple more sessions of D.A.R.E., I began to realize that D.A.R.E. was teaching me how to control my choices or make good choices. I think D.A.R.E. is good because you learned facts like there are 200 known poisons in tobacco cigarettes. I also learned how to use D.A.R.E. 'D' is 'define', know what the problem is about. 'A' is 'assets', what are the choices? 'R' is 'respond', make a choice, 'E' is 'evaluate', was the choice a wise one?

Teens, gown ups, and even friends, may pressure you to use drugs. Always say NO! Saying no is hard sometimes. Use these techniques of saying NO: 1) Simply say NO; 2) Avoid the situation; 3) Strength in numbers (stay with friends who are drug free); 4) Say NO and walk away; 5) Cold shoulder (walk away without saying anything); 6) Give a reason or a fact; 7) Change the subject; 8) Keep saying NO (like a skipping CD) and 9), my favorite, use humor. It also helps to know about the types of peer pressure. 1) Positive Pressure: This can be good when you drop a ball and a friend says 'You can do it. Just one more time'. It can be bad when someone tells you 'You can smoke. It's really easy.' 2) Teasing Pressure: 'You're a big chicken if you don't drink this'. 3) Friendly Pressure: 'Hey, Buddy, come on, smoke this. Do it with us.' 4) Tempting Pressure: 'Come on, you better drink this. You don't know what you're missing.' and 5) Heavy Pressure: 'Do it now. Come on, do it now. I won't tell you again.'

I will never abuse my drinking privilege because I will live longer, so I can do more. I will never take drugs because it is illegal and very dangerous for my health. I will never smoke because it wastes money that I could use to buy books or a PS2 game.

There are many things I do instead of drugs: read, sleep, run, write, laugh, do homework, ice skate, walk, talk, clean, play, LIVE. When I'm bored I read because I can go places you can barely imagine.

Dopey Drugs, Loony Liquor, and Wacko Tobacco will never get me under their control because of what I learned in D.A.R.E.

To wrap up what I learned in D.A.R.E., I wrote this poem to show what it would sound like if somebody asked me to take drugs, alcohol or a cigarette.

D.A.R.E. to say NO!

Do you want to smoke?
No, I'm not a dope!
Do you want to drink?
No, just what do you think --
I am?
A girl that can't say scram?
Get away from me!
For I am trying to stay drug free.
So go away and stay away
And don't come back until the day
Comes when you just want to be my friend
And wanting me to take drugs comes to an end.

Thank you, and have a drug free life!

She does a great job reading it, too. Very expressive.

*heh*

Can't post that, tho.