In our school district they have a program called DARE that helps the kids make a decision early on to avoid drugs and alcohol. Crafty graduated from that program yesterday. Curly was so excited to see the DARE car when we were walking in to the school! Nobody is EVER allowed to park that close to the front doors!The fifth-graders filed into the gym and took up the three front rows. Crafty ended up on the opposite side from us so we could hardly see her.
After all the proper introductions and thank yous, they introduced the six essay contest winners. One boy and one girl from each of the three classes read their essays. I already knew Crafty didn't win, but after I heard the essay by the girl in her class, I was not a bit surprised. I don't think anyone could have written a more touching essay. This little girl's mom died of an accidental prescription drug overdose several years ago. She had gone to the dentist and she was in pain and she mixed a couple of painkillers that shouldn't have been and she just didn't wake up.
I remember when that happened. She was in Crafty's class then too. The kids were devastated to think that a young mom of one of their own just died when she wasn't even sick!DARE is such a good program for these kids. Most of them are so sweet and naive at this age they have no idea what can happen to them.
I am so proud of Crafty for making a pledge to stay drug-free. Now if I can just figure out a way to get them all a ride in that awesome car!
That is great! I haven't thought about DARE in forever, but we had that at my elementary school too! Sounds like a wonderful essay was shared, and how hard it must have been for the child who wrote & read it! What a tragic experience for someone so young.
ReplyDeleteAs a sidenote, that DARE care is RAD! I would love a picture by that bad boy!
What a terrible experience for that girl to relive but what a great lesson. Drugs are dangerous, whether prescribed or done recreationally. There is just too little knowledge out there and accidental prescription overdoses are becoming more common.
ReplyDeleteI loved the days that the DARE officers came to my school. When I think about some of the stories they told us now I'm not sure if I believe them but hey, if they could keep kids off drugs why not? And that car is waaay cool.
ReplyDeleteWe have DARE in our area, but I don't think it's a part of our school district.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad, touching story that little girl wrote. I'm glad she found the strength to write and share it with everyone.
I am fairly certain they told us at Countryfest last year that the DARE car is privately owned because city council refuses to pay to maintain it. You just need to get friendly with the awesome woman that owns it this summer.
ReplyDeleteWe had DARE in our school too- it was a great program.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome. DARE programs are great. I still remember going through the program back when I was in school.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up.