"Building Unity in the Community"-- D.A.R.E program challenges students to stay on a positive, drug-free path

As your Sheriff, I know the importance of providing our students the proper tools to identify drugs and alcohol and know how to say no. D.A.R.E., or Drug Abuse Resistance Education, aims to help students avoid drugs or other high risk behaviors.

The D.A.R.E. program is offered to students at no charge thanks in part to a partnership between D.A.R.E. America and the Mid Atlantic Recycling Bin Program (M.A.C.) – this year the partnership raised $28,000 to pay for materials like workbooks, pins, certificates, pencils and buttons to reinforce the message.

Each year, thousands of students in Richland County are taught the D.A.R.E. curriculum by School Resource Officers. I am proud of all of the D.A.R.E. instructors for making the commitment every year to make a positive difference in our students lives. It reinforces what can be done when a group is committed to helping young people succeed both inside the classroom and beyond.

For the last 16 years Richland County, I have proudly led the Department with the philosophy and management style set on the corner stone of “Building Unity in the Community” through professionalism, passion, vision and commitment.

In 2003, the D.A.R.E. program faced the risk of being terminated because of a lack of funding. I felt D.A.R.E. was too important and took on the program with no financial support. I helped in creating a D.A.R.E. training center assuming the role of Executive Administrator; making sure every D.A.R.E. instructor completes their 80 hours of required certified training. Over the past 8 years 112 officers across South Carolina have been trained to teach DARE and 78,348 children have been taught the D.A.R.E. curriculum.

Last month, I was honored to be named the 2012 National D.A.R.E. Executive of the Year by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and D.A.R.E. America. The award was presented in Atlanta during the 2012 D.A.R.E. annual international training conference by Charlie Parsons, President and CEO of DARE America and Agent in Charge DEA Atlanta Field Division Harry Sommers.

I am truly honored and pledge to continue this powerful program to help children understand the importance of staying on a positive life path.

The D.A.R.E. program is taught at schools throughout Richland County. There are several community events where you can lend your support for the life-changing curriculum. The next event is October 25, 2012 at the Baskin Robbins on Forest Drive. It's the annual DARESCREAM night- a free, fun, and safe evening for kids to celebrate D.A.R.E.

For more information about D.A.R.E. please contact Deputy Arlene Sharpe at the SC D.A.R.E. Training Center, (803) 419-5318 or scdare@rcsd.net. http://www.rcsd.net/dare/index.html