Video: D.A.R.E. Program Teaches Youngsters How To Make Positive, Healthy Choices

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Fifth graders at some elementary schools are learning how to make wise and healthy choices.

Students at Tupelo’s Rankin Elementary are in their third week of the “Drug Abuse Resistance Education” program, also known as DARE.

For ten weeks the fifth graders are taught about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and tobacco, along with the importance of resisting and overcoming peer pressure, and dealing with their emotions.

DARE Officer Richard Franklin says the program is making a big difference.

“It is very rewarding to have kids come back to me and say, that DARE helped them make good healthy choices and they have been in different things where they had to make that decision and use that DARE decision making model and help them make a good choice,” said DARE Officer Richard Franklin.

Fifth graders at Lawndale Elementary are also going through the DARE program this semester.