
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, June 7, 1994                   TAG: 9406070082
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: |By DIANE STRUZZI| |STAFF WRITER|
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

977 CELEBRATE SAYING 'NO'

Eleven-year-old Robert Lainhart was quiet at first when asked to describe what he liked most about the DARE program. The fifth-grader from Virginia Heights Elementary School looked up, took a deep breath, and then remembered:

"The stuff they gave you, like the DARE shirts," Lainhart said, referring to the neon-colored tees that were given to each DARE graduate.

"And it helps keep kids off drugs," he quickly added.

Lainhart was one of 977 Roanoke fifth-graders who graduated from the 14-week Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, and one of 46 trophy winners recognized for their essays on how to take a stand against drugs.

On Monday, the fifth-graders, their teachers, some parents and Roanoke DARE officers gathered at the Roanoke Civic Center for a graduation ceremony, the first of its kind in the history of the city's drug-resistance program.

"It's impressive to them to see others who have gone through the same program," said Officer Barbara Mays.

Four years ago, the four elementary school DARE officers held separate graduations for each class they taught. But finding a speaker that could attend each graduation was difficult, Mays said. Last year, about 10 schools gathered at Patrick Henry High School for the fifth-graders' DARE graduation. But the children got bored and wanted entertainment.

So Mays and her colleagues planned Monday's event, working with no budget but with a clear idea of what they wanted - entertainment, a memorable message and a special guest. They succeeded.

At 10:30 a.m. sharp, state Attorney General Jim Gilmore strode on stage in step with the city's DARE team. Each spoke, sending the message that has become synonymous with the DARE program, "Say no to drugs."

"Do you know what being here today makes you?" Gilmore said, addressing the pupils. "It makes you role models. That you care enough about yourself to take a stand. That you study instead of steal. That you do homework instead of drugs. And that you take responsibility."

For entertainment, America's Pride - a high school acting troupe that performs humorous skits about alcoholism and drug abuse - kept the fifth-graders laughing.

Special Agent T.G. Ayers of the state police, who coordinates the DARE program among schools in Southwest Virginia, said that while the enthusiasm might wane as children grow older, the positive relationship with the officers and the message they teach does not.

"The officers teach them not just how to say no, but teach them the consequences of not saying no," he said.

Jason Martin, who won a trophy for his essay, agreed, saying, "DARE teaches you how to say no for your whole life."

by CNB