Alexander uses the tools of his trade - handcuffs, leg irons, firearm, badge - as props to grab the attention of the young students, and they respond with kinds of questions you'd expect, with "Have you ever shot anyone?" and "Did you arrest anyone this week?" two of the most popular. They laugh, make jokes, and swap stories, but through it all, Alexander imparts lessons of self-esteem and healthy choices that he hopes will keep the kids from running into him later in a much different circumstance.

Alexander, the students and their teacher, Kathy Stafford, reflected on the 10-week D.A.R.E. course during a graduation celebration May 21 at the school.

The Chief began the ceremony by reading to the audience of parents and family members a list of "Twenty ways to encourage your children to use drugs," including "Never eat together as a family" and "Never let your children experience cold, fatigue, adventure, injury, risk, challenge, experimentation, failure, frustration, discouragement, etc." The list, using the negative, pushed parents to allow their children the room to grow, make mistakes and learn, while letting them know they are secure and loved.

Alexander then recognized four students for essays they wrote about avoiding the ills of drug use and abuse. Each of the winners read their winning essays aloud, then recieved a certificate for a free pizza from Breton's Store.

Essay winner Brian Palma said the D.A.R.E. program taught him to hang with a good crowd. "It encouraged me to avoid friends who offer drugs or alcohol," he said.

Amanda Warman sad the classes gave her the tools to succeed. "I've learned how to be drug-free and say 'No' to drugs like tobacco, alcohol and marijuana," she said.

Morgan Brady said she will be better able to handle peer pressure now that she has completed the program. "I will use my knowledge and skills to make healthy choices," she said.

Matt DiAngelo said he, too, will be able to resist when pushed through peer pressure, and that he now understands the risks of drug and alcohol abuse. "If you drink alcohol too much it could damage every organ in your body," he said.

Selectman Carrol Smith attented the graduation, and urged the students to get involved in the community as they grow older. "getting involved is the best drug preventative," the former Greenville educator said.

Stafford said the students now know they ahve the support of friends and teachers. "They'll have the suport they need from all of us so they can continue to make good choices," she said.

Alexander thanked Stafford for her help with the program, now a decade old in Greenville. "She not ony teaches the children, but she's taought me how to teach," he said. He also thanked the school kitchen and maintenance crew who wear D.A.R.E. t-shirts and visors, further reinforcing the importance of the program with the students. "They are a real importnat part of the programs."

Completeing the D.A.R.E. program were Samantha Beamer, Morgan Brady, Sanora Cookson, Matt DiAngelo, Kody Favreau, Daniel Gish, Jack Mason, Nicholas Muhr, Bryan Palma, Jasmine Senatus, Colby Snell, Carissa St. Louis, Howard Stone, Peyton Ward, Amanda Warman, and Kaylee Warman.
"This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the Tuesday, May 29, 2007 edition of the Moosehead Messenger and is used here with permission."