Elgin, St. Boniface Join Effort To Rejuvenate D.A.R.E. Program

Antelope County is continuing its effort against drugs with a rejuvenated D.A.R.E. program. Last night nearly three dozen students from Elgin Public and St. Boniface graduated from the program.​

“It’s been a while since we’ve had D.A.R.E. at Elgin or St. Boniface, and it’s a good thing for our kids,” said Elgin Public principal Greg Wemhoff.

Antelope County Deputy John Shaver taught the 10-week class to fifth- and sixth-grade students in Elgin. The students graduated during a combined ceremony at Elgin Public Schools.

“When I was given the opportunity to teach the D.A.R.E. class, I was excited. Anything we can do to help the young kids in our community,” Shaver said. “They’re going to be the eventual leaders in our communities. Anything we can do to give them one step up is worth doing.”

D.A.R.E., which stands for drug abuse resistance education, was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles and was at one time in 95 percent of all U.S. schools. It was a part of local schools for many years but was eventually cut. Shaver said it’s important to bring D.A.R.E. back into Antelope County because the program is more than just teaching the dangers of drug abuse. 

“We also use D.A.R.E. fore a decision-making model, where it stands for define, assess, respond and evaluate,’” Shaver said. “By teaching the kids how to define their situation as a problem, challenge or opportunity, they can access that as to what choices they have and can respond and then evaluate their decision. By giving them that way of thinking, you’re giving them a huge advantage for later in life.”

Shaver said the program is receiving a lot of local support from businesses, families and the sheriff’s department. All of the funding is from local contributions.

“Tonight for D.A.R.E. graduation, every officer that was in the county was here - the whole sheriff’s office was present,” he said. “Local businesses is where I’m getting the money to do the funding for this. Everybody is donating, so I can get the t-shirts for the kids. The schools don’t have to pay for anything; the kids don’t have to pay for anything. So far I’ve been supported 100 percent, and I love it.”

Shaver taught the class in Clearwater and Orchard last year and recently in Elgin. Shaver is asking businesses to consider making a donation to help keep the program in Antelope County. He hopes other schools will consider offering D.A.R.E.

Shaver said he believes in the program immensely and is willing to help other communities rejuvenate the D.A.R.E. program as well. 

“Anybody that’s looking at getting D.A.R.E. in other communities, get a hold of us. The Antelope County Sheriff’s Office is more than willing to help where we can to get this started,” Shaver said.