As a series of graduations commenced at the Orealia Kelly Primary School on Tuesday morning, January 19, from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) course, sixth grade students were given some very useful advice. They were advised to stay away from all types o
f harmful drugs, including alcohol, and to shun gang violence and other forms of deviant behaviour.
The ten-week course, conducted by Police Officers Shawn Lake, Augustina Carbon and Kerry Sylvester, is now in its ninth year. It usually covers such topics as peer pressure, friendship foundations, how to change one’s life and handle health, legal and social issues as they relate to use of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana.
Officer Carbon told the students that the D.A.R.E. course was “a programme that sensitises students about the dangers of drug use and drug abuse. It teaches children how to avoid violence; take charge of their lives by making choices that are responsible and respectful. The programme involves the Police, the Education Department and parents to ensure that the information that children received will be put into practice.”
In addition to the Orealia Kelly P
rimary School, the graduation ceremonies were held this week at the Vivien Vanterpool Primary School on Wednesday, January 20; Morris Vanterpool Primary School on Thursday, January 21; and The Valley Primary School on Friday, January 22. Next week the graduations will continue on Tuesday, January 26 at the Alwyn Allison Richardson Primary School; and on Wednesday, January 27 at the Adrian T. Hazell Primary School.
It was arranged for certificates and prizes to be distributed to students in recognition of their participation and hard work.
