The fifth graders at Madison Elementary in Davenport celebrated their graduation from the D.A.R.E. Program.
The drug and alcohol resistance program, or D.A.R.E. was cut from the Davenport Police Department budget back in 2004. That’s when three local residents formed a board to keep the program alive in the Davenport schools.
Wednesday, the fifth graders at Madison completed the 10 week program and received certificates and medals.
One student says the program taught him much more than just saying no to drugs.
“Sometimes you have to pick and choose your friends,” Romello Brown, a 5th grader says. “There are friends that are in a bad group and a good group and you have to make a decision.”
Romello says the D.A.R.E. program has helped him choose the good group of friends.
“I don’t want to grow up and have a bad life style. I want to be a marine and I don’t want a bad record,” he tells us.
D.A.R.E. board member Betty Nelson says she feels having the officer in uniform in the classroom is priceless for both the students and the neighborhoods.
The board has very limited funds to keep the program alive. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Betty at 563-391-4400.