First
By Andrea McCann, staff writer
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The Linton Police Department and Linton-
Standing for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, DARE educates kids about the
pitfalls of drug abuse and ways of combating it, according to LPD Chief Troy
Jerrell, the impetus for the program. He said Patrol Officer Debbie McDonald
will teach a class at least once a week that will focus on different aspects of
drug abuse and ways to resist it.
“It's just at Linton at this time,” Jerrell said. “It's targeted at the
fifth-grade education level, and there will be at least a minimum of one class
a week. The details are yet to be determined.”
He said the class is being offered in cooperation with the school system and
will last throughout the school year. Some examples of topics for the one-hour
class periods, according to the police chief, include ways to fight drug abuse,
peer pressure, different drugs and the way they affect the body, alternatives
to drugs to escape feeling of anger and depression, and cause and effect.
“The main theme is ‘don't use drugs,' ” Jerrell said. “Every class is
different.”
He said the DARE program has different items the teachers can use, including
reading materials and handouts.
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“DARE is not just education,” Jerrell said. “That's one of
the main focuses, but DARE is also interaction of the police with students so
they begin to build a rapport.”
He explained that the weekly interaction with students by someone from the
police department shows the students that the police are there to protect them
and help them. In addition, he said, it gives them another person to talk to
about issues such as drug abuse if they need it.
“My hopes are that we can strengthen our relationship between the police and
school Š,” said LSES Superintendent Ron Bush. “It's an avenue for police to
work with students and teachers to help kids learn to make better choices.
“I appreciate that the police wanted to bring the program into the school and
sponsor it. I'm happy that they're wanting to work
with us.”
Jerrell said he hopes there will be other opportunities for the LPD to interact
with students through the DARE program.
“There may be summer things like camp, as well, that we can do,” he said. “It's
a new program, so we're learning as we go.”
McDonald will finish her DARE training around the end of September, so Jerrell
expects classes to begin around the first of October. He said DARE instructors
have to meet certain criteria before being accepted. He said McDonald has to be
a graduate of the
“I'm real excited about this program,” Jerrell said. “The school has been
overwhelmingly willing to work with us on this program. The mayor, as well, has
been a positive influence in getting it done, and the Linton Elks Lodge gave us
$300 to help with the training.”
LSES Principal Kent Brewer also is enthusiastic about the program. He said
unfortunately some children are exposed to the methamphetamine problem in
“I'm excited getting to work with the police department and getting an officer
into the school to let kids get more comfortable with and get to know police
officers,” he said. “Also to get the kids to know about the
dangers of drugs.
“It's going to be real important to work smart and get the class molded into
the curriculum.”
He said when McDonald finishes her training, she and
the teachers will work out the details of the class.
“Hopefully it's a start to a partnership with the school,” Jerrell said. “I
hope it's a start to working with the kids of the community.”
He said he hopes to have a police officer in the schools even more in the
future and is currently seeking a $20,000 grant through the Indiana Criminal
Justice Institute to facilitate just that.
“If we can get it, we'll be able to have a police officer in the school 50 to
60 percent of the time, where they will work with kids and the school staff on
ways to keep them out of trouble,” he explained. “It's not for punishment, but
to work with the school and kids.
“The basis is graduated sanctions - a stair-step level - trying to keep kids
out of the law enforcement system. I'm hoping it'll be a positive influence
with students to deter crime and also create a rapport with them.”
The idea, he said, is to put positives into the students' lives and way of
thinking to keep them out of trouble.
“For minor offenses, we may be able to take care of them at school with the
officer before it gets to the court system,” Jerrell said, adding that he hopes
to also utilize the officer to deal with any truancy problems and keep kids in
school.
“There are very many positive aspects that I see,” he said.