H-D celebrates D.A.R.E graduation

Assistant Chief judge of the Second Judicial District of Iowa James Drew’s experience with the Cerro Gordo County drug court in Mason City has shown him first hand the effects early exposure to drugs and alcohol can have on individuals.

Working with individuals who are facing prison time due to drug-related offenses has provided Drew with knowledge that made him an appropriate speaker for Hamp-ton-Dumont’s fifth grade D.A.R.E graduation last Monday.

Addressing the parents and students who gathered in the middle school gymnasium that evening, Drew said he has gathered two takeaways while speaking with the individuals who go through the program.

“Number one, who you hang out with is the most important,” he said. “If you hang out with people who use, odds are, you are going to use. Every relapse I have to go through with the drug court people, it’s all because they didn’t turn around and walk away.”

The second, he said, is the importance of extracurricular activities and hobbies in school-aged children.

“Don’t let yourself get bored,” he said. “Fill your spare time with activities and extracurricular activities.”

He added that this information is not only important for students to realize, but also carries value for parents.

“These drug addicts are the one telling us that if their mom or dad had clamped down on them and knew who they were hanging out with, they wouldn’t be in these positions,” he said.

Drew said that middle school years are extremely vital when it comes to drug and alcohol awareness. Of the 16 people in his group, 14 used street drugs while school-aged and 15 used alcohol. Eleven of the 16 were first given drugs by a friend and the other five were given drugs by a family member. Having that knowledge and the courage to back away from a situation where drugs and alcohol are offered, he said, are especially vital at this point in a student’s life.

“At some point in your life, you will be in a position where you have to make choices about alcohol and drugs,” he said. “Bad choices now can follow you for the rest of your life.

“You are in a critical stage in your life,” he added.

After Drew’s address, students were acknowledged for their work in the poster and essay contests. Essay contest winners were Eva Dohlman, Ruby Zamorano, Maren Sub-vert and Marlee Maas, with Maas advancing to the state competition. Mackenzie Corona, Avalon Mulford, Jona-than Negrete and Graciella Urbana were named the poster contest winners with Urbana going to the state contest. All students were given a certificate in recognition of their completion of the D.A.R.E. program.