SOMERSWORTH FIFTH-GRADERS GRADUATE FROM DARE PROGRAM

SOMERSWORTH -- Fifth-grader Michael Ainaire said he knew a little about
drugs before the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program, but feels
much more informed now.

"Now I know about how horrible drugs really are," he read from his essay
about what he learned during the 17-week program. "Thank you DARE. Now I
know how to keep myself healthy."

Ainaire and Courtney Standwood read their winning entries about the program
during the DARE graduation ceremony on Friday morning.

"In this day and age education is extremely important," Middle School
Principal Paul Maskwa said. "For us as a school it's important to make a
strong stand with a clear anti-drug message."

"You can say no to anyone, even your best friend," Standwood read from her
essay. She told the assembled students and family members that she learned
how to talk about problems and choices. She learned that each choice has
consequences, she said. "DARE teaches skills that (the students) need to
get along in the real world," School resource and DARE officer Brandon
Drysdale said, "And with a program like this we can all sleep a little better."

On Friday, 138 students graduated the program, now in its tenth year at the
Middle School.

"Our regular health curriculum covers a lot of this, but this makes it
special," he said of the graduation. "Some people think (fifth grade) is
too young, but it's when (the students) are impressionable ... It takes a
community effort, not just the school, not just the police, not just the
parents, but the whole community."

Teacher and City Councilor Dana Hilliard told the students he was very
proud of their graduation from the program.

"You have made a commitment to be your very best," he said. The community
needs to make a commitment to have quality programs so the students stay
busy after school and stay out of trouble with drugs and violence as well
as a good police force, he said.

The Dover Middle School group Youth to Youth put on a short skit about the
top ten reasons not to smoke. Reasons included "that smoking is a fire
hazard." When the students feigned a fire caused by a dropped cigarette,
one of the Dover students grabbed a bucket and when he threw the "water" on
the "fire" it was full of confetti. Another reason, "some people are
allergic to smoke and sneeze." A large faked sneeze from the back of the
gym was accompanied by the spray of a water gun.

Lorette Witham, who donates two bikes, helmets and locks for one boy and
one girl to win at graduation and Gagnon's Auto Body Shop, which
financially contributes to the program, were honored with plaques of
appreciation.

Students Taryn Heon and Daniel Rines won the drawing for the bikes. Bianca
Toribio won the drawing for a stuffed DARE lion.