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5-HT2A
Registered: 01/30/10 
Posts: 1,794
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Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate
#14460353 - 05/16/11 01:47 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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http://chesterfield.patch.com/articles/blevins-fifth-graders-dare-to-graduate-2
Smiles, tears and hugs intermingled at the graduation ceremony held Friday afternoon at Blevins Elementary School in Eureka for 87 graduates of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program. While it was a day based on achievement of the fifth graders who just completed a 10-week course with D.A.R.E. police officer Jennifer Werges, the announcement that the D.A.R.E. program no longer would be conducted at Rockwood School District elementary schools stunned the parents in attendance.
"The D.A.R.E. program is really informational," said Lori Passiglia, whose daughter graduated from the program five years ago and now is a sophomore at Eureka High School. "I was really excited to have my second child participate in the program this year because my daughter still goes back to things learned in D.A.R.E. And, I assumed my third child would get to benefit from the program as well."
Another Eureka parent who also has a high school sophomore and now a Blevins fifth grader who graduated from the program, Lisa Livingston, said she believed D.A.R.E. was valuable community support for local kids. She was not aware of the district's decision on Thursday to cancel the D.A.R.E. offering after this school year until Friday afternoon's ceremony.
"The messages and information associated with D.A.R.E. would have more of an impact coming from a police officer," Livingston said.
During the ceremony at Blevins, Eureka police officer Werges explained the D.A.R.E. program teaches students how to stand up for themselves. "One of biggest benefits of D.A.R.E. is that it gives children strategies for making good overall decisions. Those strategies are relevant, whether you're 11 or 12 or 40," she said.
"Lessons from D.A.R.E. get you through the tricky parts of life."
Components of D.A.R.E. cover tobacco, alcohol, drugs and over-the-counter medicines as well as prescription drugs. "Education is key. D.A.R.E. students learn exactly what the different types of drug abuse will do to their bodies and to them socially," Werges said.
She said students are shocked about the concept that prescribed drugs can be harmful because they view them as "medicines," and that items purchased so readily from stores can be problematic.
One huge supporter of the D.A.R.E. program is Eureka Police Chief Michael Wiegand, who said Rockwood School District was the very first entity in St. Louis County to execute the national D.A.R.E. program in 1988.
"Today is bittersweet, because it's a special graduation, but it's also the last graduating ceremony we'll have here at Blevins," said Wiegand. "Thank you for allowing us to spend time with your children."
Wiegand initiated a partnership with Rockwood to execute the drug abuse education program after he discovered its expansive ability to build lasting relationships. "Anytime we can part of your kids' lives, we want to be. We want them to consider us as friends. We're here for them, we're here for you (as parents)," he said at the ceremony.
He said he has written to several U.S. presidents to invite them to come see the success of the local D.A.R.E. program.
Wiegand's commitment to the program extends to training D.A.R.E. officers through his leadership in the St. Louis area police chief association.
He did add that D.A.R.E. still would be executed locally in parochial schools.
Emotions were difficult to juggle at the ceremony. At one point, officer Werges was overwhelmed at the podium and shed a few tears. Parents in attendance did the same. A standing ovation spontaneously transpired.
Werges, who has been a police officer since 1995, said what she enjoys most about D.A.R.E. is that it is one of the few proactive ways those in law enforcement can help others. "In police work, a lot of what we do is about reacting to calls. The barbecue's already gotten out of hand. The harm's already been done. The accident's already happened. The people are already hurt."
She said D.A.R.E. enables officers to truly get involved in positive, reinforcing ways with children and their parents. "It's not if, it's when, the day is coming about your child being asked if they want to try a drug. It happens right here in our community. I really believe D.A.R.E. makes a difference," she said.
She also said the rapport built between officers and elementary school students extends to middle and high school.
When it was time for Blevins' teacher Karen Huber's class to receive their D.A.R.E. graduation certificates, she said, "Now students, think back to what we learned in class about government, our rights, freedom of speech and the First Amendment. Remember what you can do to get your D.A.R.E. program back."
Part of the D.A.R.E. program is that each child submits an essay, with the topics covering various types of drug abuse lessons. Winners of each of the four Blevins' classes were:
* Dylan Bodendieck * Steven Yergensen * Nicole Walker * Adrianna Arnold
Each of the four winners read their essays during Friday's event.
Additionally, an illustration done by Paige Rhine was chosen to adorn the program for the ceremony as well as the customized cake served afterward. Illustrations from all graduating students decorated the Blevins' gym, surrounding participants with creativity and life lessons learned.
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Konyap

Registered: 06/30/07
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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: 5-HT2A]
#14460380 - 05/16/11 01:54 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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these kids have a better chance of getting a connect then I do
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AbstraKt_I_Am


Registered: 12/21/10
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Loc: Abroad.
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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: Konyap]
#14460385 - 05/16/11 01:56 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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St.Louis Dare Program... Ah I know how the scenario will play out. Graduating dare in 5th grade like I did, and smoking weed by time they hit 7th grade.
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Psil
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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: 5-HT2A]
#14461130 - 05/16/11 08:41 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
5-HT2A said: "The messages and information associated with D.A.R.E. would have more of an impact coming from a police officer," Livingston said.
You know when I have questions about drugs I always ask a police officer. Someone who has no background in science and deals with the absolute dregs of society on a daily basis is just the kind of person I trust to give me an unbiased opinion.
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argg
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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: Psil]
#14461168 - 05/16/11 09:12 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Werges, who has been a police officer since 1995, said what she enjoys most about D.A.R.E. is that it is one of the few proactive ways those in law enforcement can help others. "In police work, a lot of what we do is about reacting to calls. The barbecue's already gotten out of hand. The harm's already been done. The accident's already happened. The people are already hurt."
I really like this attitude from a cop. She sounds like she cares and if given real tools to help people she might be able to. I really hope some day all drugs are decrim so police with a help not hurt attitude can help people that might be out and about wasted outta their mind to a treatment facility not jail, you know serving and protecting not harassing and arresting.
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Bom_Tombadil
ShRoOm GrOwEr & EaTeR


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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: argg]
#14461450 - 05/16/11 10:56 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
serving and protecting not harassing and arresting
beating, stealing, raping, killing. all things cops do as well as getting high and selling drugs they steel from people they put in jail.
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DrMambo
hamburger time



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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: Bom_Tombadil]
#14462119 - 05/16/11 01:27 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
"Lessons from D.A.R.E. get you through the tricky parts of life."
not as well as a nice doober
-------------------- "Yeah, he's a professor...... OF BEING A DOG!"
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Humility
Working on it



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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: Psil]
#14462436 - 05/16/11 02:35 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Psil said:
Quote:
5-HT2A said: "The messages and information associated with D.A.R.E. would have more of an impact coming from a police officer," Livingston said.
You know when I have questions about drugs I always ask a police officer. Someone who has no background in science and deals with the absolute dregs of society on a daily basis is just the kind of person I trust to give me an unbiased opinion.
Police are the dregs of society.
Followed closely by other government bureaucrats.
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LightShedder
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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: Humility]
#14462757 - 05/16/11 03:32 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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"Smiles, tears and hugs intermingled at the graduation ceremony held Friday afternoon at Blevins Elementary School in Eureka for 87 graduates of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program."
LAME
" the announcement that the D.A.R.E. program no longer would be conducted at Rockwood School District elementary schools stunned the parents in attendance."
Fuck yeah! Pass the reefer round!
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Remix
grammer natze



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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: LightShedder]
#14462960 - 05/16/11 04:15 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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All the DARE program did for me was teach me that cops didn't know anything about the drugs they told me not to use.
At the time they still told kids that LSD and shrooms put holes in your brain and that marijuana was one of the most addicting drugs around.
Thank goodness for the internet, though. Otherwise I may have been so uneducated I would be willing to try something much more dangerous like heroin or cocaine based on the fact that by the time I had tried marijuana I realized it wasn't the demon they told me it was.
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amenra
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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: Remix]
#14463043 - 05/16/11 04:30 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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my 5th grade dare teacher.. AKA a police officer.. was later arrested for robbing gas stations.. to support her meth habit lol
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Remix
grammer natze



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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: amenra]
#14463113 - 05/16/11 04:42 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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It's okay, though. Meth doesn't actually count because kids are allowed to use it.
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LightShedder
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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: Remix]
#14463361 - 05/16/11 05:30 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Allowed? You mean forced?
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Atlantic Wind


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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: LightShedder]
#14464719 - 05/16/11 08:58 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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DARE is so pointless for elementary schoolers. They're too young to be exposed to those drugs anyway, and by the time they reach teenage years they're gonna wanna experiment regardless. DARE told me that I would die if I took LSD, guess that really prevented me from doing it
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Konyap

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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: Atlantic Wind]
#14464874 - 05/16/11 09:24 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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i couldnt stand being subjectgated to that shit
its like Heeeeyyyyyyyy..... Dont have sex with children, i know you think having sex with children is coooll buttttt
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LightShedder
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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: Konyap]
#14465119 - 05/16/11 10:03 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Huh?
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Konyap

Registered: 06/30/07
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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: LightShedder]
#14465373 - 05/16/11 10:54 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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....
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LightShedder
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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: Konyap]
#14465422 - 05/16/11 11:07 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
aiyobro said: ....
is right!
That's the worst, most random analogy ever. Explain yourself because I'm baffled.
How is this an accurate analogy?
Cops tell kids lies about drugs: someone tells you not to have sex with children
?????
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DrMambo
hamburger time



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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: Konyap]
#14465427 - 05/16/11 11:08 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I did a, "kids race against drugs" at a Kmart when I was like 11
If you signed a thing saying you'd never do drugs, then they popped you in a little go kart and let you drive around a track for like a minute and a half, then they gave you a, "Kmart: Kids Race Against Drugs", hat.
The friend who I did it with has smoked lots of weed and took a ton of acid in college since then.
I only really appreciated that hat when I finally started blazing.
-------------------- "Yeah, he's a professor...... OF BEING A DOG!"
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LightShedder
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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: DrMambo]
#14465455 - 05/16/11 11:14 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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lol that's hilarious. Sign a drug-free oath and get to cruise around the kmart parking lot in a go kart. Fucking awesome.
DARE and kmart:2 pitifully failing organizations.
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Joolz


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Re: Blevins Fifth Graders D.A.R.E. to Graduate [Re: LightShedder]
#14465644 - 05/17/11 12:00 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I remember my mother was like "I raised you to not do drugs" and trying to guilt me into stopping or some stupid shit.
I told her she shouldn't have lied to me about the true effects of them. When I told her I'd never do drugs its because marijuana caused cancer and acid made you jump off buildings. Among other ridiculous notions ofc.
-------------------- Prohibition didn't work for God; Eve ate the fruit.
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