KLR FIFTH-GRADER WINS DARE ESSAY CONTEST

Monticello - Fifth-grader De'ja Taylor is this year's DARE essay
contest winner at K.L. Rutherford Elementary School.

KLR fifth-grade students spent several weeks studying with Officer
Luis Velasco about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

The following is De'ja's winning essay:

"I am fifth-grade student at Kenneth L. Rutherford School. I am in
the DARE program at my school. DARE is a program that teaches kids
the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol on the human body. Officer
Velasco talked to us about staying drug-free, avoiding violence and
not hanging out with people who use drugs or smoke tobacco.

"I learned in the DARE program that people who smoke tobacco have
more colds than nonsmokers do. Also, it is illegal to sell tobacco to
anyone under the age of 18. I learned alcohol affects the growing
body of teenagers more than adults; one beer has as much alcohol as a
glass of wine.

"Officer Velasco told us that marijuana and other drugs are addictive
and illegal in the United States. A few wise choices, when someone
wants me to smoke tobacco, marijuana or drink alcohol, is to say no,
change the subject or play the skipping CD.

"Officer Velasco taught us in DARE that we have to deal with peer
pressure every day and it comes in many different ways. Such as:
Others may tease you, threaten you or fight you to get you to use
drugs or alcohol.

"There are many young kids using drugs, smoking tobacco, drinking
alcohol, or using all three. I really hope that people think about
the effect these drugs have on their bodies before they try them. I
think what I learned is important because it will help me in the
future. I know the effects they have on the body and I want to grow
up healthy and wise. In addition, I will be able to talk to my two
younger brothers about drugs and alcohol and tell them it does not
make them cool and alcohol and drugs can really mess you up. The
greatest thing in DARE that was helpful was the DARE decision-making
model because it made me break down the situation into parts that I can use.

"In conclusion, I promise I will keep my body free from drugs and
alcohol so I will be able to make wise decisions about my life.

"I really think it is important to stay drug-free because you could
concentrate better. You could get a better education, job and control
your own life."