And the Winner Is...

Christopher participated in the D.A.R.E. program this year at school. Last Friday at the graduation, he won an award for having the best essay in the fifth grade class. Here is his essay...

D.A.R.E
By Chris Wheeler

I have learned a lot in the D.A.R.E. Program. One of the things I have learned is that you should not do drugs because they are very harmful and dangerous to your health and body. D.A.R.E. taught me about some of the most common drugs: beer, alcohol, tobacco and marijuana. It is very important that you say no to doing any of these drugs. I also learned some ways to tell other people no when they are trying to get me to try any of these drugs.

Tobacco is very harmful to your lungs. Some of the substances found in tobacco are found in cat litter and used for preserving dead people. I know that I do not want to put those things into my lungs. When someone offers me a cigarette I will say “My parents will ground me for life! No way!” or I will change the subject. You might think that everyone smokes but I learned barely anyone does. But small groups of smokers will try to get you to smoke because they will tell you everyone is doing it.

Marijuana is a drug that is illegal in the United States. People that smoke marijuana increase their risk for cancer and have more colds and breathing problems than people that do not smoke. Marijuana can affect your brain too. You can have memory loss or have trouble concentrating. Another drug that is illegal for kids is alcohol. You have to be 21 or older to drink. Mixing alcohol and medicine is dangerous. You should not drink and drive. That is dangerous because drunk drivers can cause accidents or fall asleep at the wheel. Most teens don’t drink alcohol.

D.A.R.E. has taught me facts about drugs and alcohol that I didn’t know before. I was afraid to tell people no because I thought they would force me to do drugs. I am not scared anymore. I know I can change the subject or walk away.

I, Chris, promise to be a good student and to not do drugs, obey the law and to help other people say no too.

Congrats Chris!