Lafayette celebrates first D.A.R.E. Program graduation in 20 years
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — In Lafayette, a new group of students can call themselves graduates of the D.A.R.E. Program. They’re also the first students in Lafayette to make that accomplishment in two decades.
The D.A.R.E. Program is centered around helping students make safe and responsible decisions when it comes to the temptation of drug use.
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Over the last 10 weeks, a group of 97 students have been learning about the dangers of drugs such as fentanyl and tobacco.
“And the program consists of decision making, drugs, things like that, that we feel that really help the kids,” City Marshal Reggie Thomas said. “But one of the things that it did do, it brought a better relationship with law enforcement. Now, when officers come into this school, kids don’t run from us.”
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“It’s critical that we start talking to our young people again about drugs, about and all about the reality of what’s in their world to protect themselves and to get them through those tough teenage years,” Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Blanco-Boulet said.
As students received their graduation certificates, family, friends and city officials watched as the kids join the first graduating class in 20 years.
“First time in 20 years that we have had a graduation of D.A.R.E.,” Thomas said. “So we went all out. We are excited. This is our first graduation as the Marshal’s Office, and it’s something that we will continue to do.”
And as this class celebrates their accomplishments, Thomas said what he’s looking forward to the most is getting the next class ready to go.
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