Easton PD Graduates D.A.R.E. Class from Staples Elementary

EASTON, CT --- The Easton police department celebrated with 107 fifth graders from Samuel Staples Elementary School who graduated from the Easton D.A.R.E. Program last Friday.

First Selectman Adam Dunsby, Chief Shaw and SSES School Principal, Kim Fox-Santora were all on hand to congratulate the students. The graduating class watched a slide show put together from photos taken throughout the D.A.R.E. classes. All of the graduates were treated to a pizza and ice cream party and received prizes and graduation certificates.

The aim of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or D.A.R.E., is to instill in young people sensibilities that will prevent their use of controlled drugs, membership in gangs, and violent behavior. It was founded in Los Angeles in 1983 as a joint initiative of the LAPD and the Los Angeles Unified School District.

According to D.A.R.E,'s website, 26 million students in the U.S. participate in the program, which is implemented in 75 percent of the nation's school districts.