On May 16th, eighty fourth grade students at Arlington Elementary School graduated from the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. These were the first students to graduate from the D.A.R.E. program in several years.
Several members of the Jackson Police Department's Command Staff, including Chief Julian Wiser, was present to witness the graduation of these outstanding students. The D.A.R.E. instructor, Officer Curtis Cozart, was excited about his first graduating class.
The D.A.R.E. curriculum is designed to teach kids about the problems and challenges associated with drugs. Chief Wiser understands the challenges young children face when it comes to drugs usage. Because of this understanding, Chief Wiser re-instituted the D.A.R.E. program for the Jackson Police Department.
Officer Cozart advised he also became aware of the need to expand his curriculum to address other issues like "bullying". At the completion of the school year, Officer Cozart realized he learned as much from the kids as they learned from him.
Congratulations!!!!
