Marla Jones, Managing Editor
RAINSVILLE, Ala.-- Over 600 fifth-grade students gathered at the DeKalb County Schools Coliseum for their D.A.R.E. Graduation on Wednesday, May 10
D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a highly acclaimed program that gives kids the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence.
D.A.R.E. was founded in 1983 and has proven so successful that it has been implemented in thousands of schools throughout the United States and many other countries.
“I serve as an Instructional Supervisor with the DeKalb County Board of Education, I have had the privilege to serve as the D.A.R.E. Program Coordinator for the past 12 years. This is a great program that is taught to our fifth graders by our School Resource Officers. Our program is a joint effort between the DeKalb County Board of Education and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. We have many great sponsors who provide donations to fund our program” stated Kim Maness.
“As a former classroom teacher for many years of my career, I see so much value in this program that promotes making good decisions for our students. We like to honor our students’ work and accomplishments during our county-wide D.A.R.E. Graduation. Our theme is “United We Stand”. It takes a lot of work and support from multiple people to make this program a success. Our students deserve it!” concluded Maness.
The DeKalb County D.A.R.E Program is led by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officers (SRO) from each school. The officers work closely with Superintendent Wayne Lyles and the DeKalb County Board of Education.
Lit. Wesley Greeson, serves as the supervisor of the DeKalb County School Resource Officers. This is his first year heading the D.A.R.E. program.
“It’s an honor to serve in this role and continue an already great program” stated Greeson. “However, none of this would be possible without the support of Sheriff Nick Welden, Superintendent Wayne Lyles, the DeKalb County Board of Education, and the SROs, that I get to work with every day” concluded Greeson.
