2012 DARE Graduation – St. Peter's
D.A.R.E.
Before this program was presented to my 5th grade class and someone would have asked me what D.A.R.E. was, I really wouldn't have a good answer to give. Once upon a time, an Officer of the Borough of Somerset approached our class and offered to teach us on a weekly basis about drugs and their harmful effects. I truly was and still am affected by what I learned. To put it plainly, I am scared to death to even think about trying any sort of drugs and frightened to even think about puffing on a cigarette knowing it could lead to "bigger things." I have one person to thank for scaring the dickens out of me and that Officer Appel, but that is his job and that is what he needs to do to kids our age. By teaching us at an early age and by the power of God on our side, we should be Drug Free until the end of time. I think you Officer Appel and I thank the teachers of our school for allowing such a program for us to take part in.
To think about gum disease, cancer, black lungs, being spaced out and even drunk is a frightening thought, but for myself, I think a little deeper and I bring myself to realize that starting out at a young age only leads to a long life of grief or could lead to an early death. Not only does this affect us. It affects the ones around us. If we start using drugs now, at an early age, this tells myself what life will be like from the early beginning to end…
- D.A.R.E. to disobey your parents about drugs
- D.A.R.E. to give in to peer pressure
- D.A.R.E. to take the first puff of a cigarette
- D.A.R.E. to inject that needle into your body
- D.A.R.E. to have your family disown you
- D.A.R.E. to steal for drugs
- D.A.R.E. to kill for drugs
- D.A.R.E. to be jailed for the stealing and killing
- D.A.R.E. to live a lonely life because you have no one to support you
- D.A.R.E. to die in jail or on the streets because of drugs
- D.A.R.E. to be buried in a cardboard box because you have no family to care
- D.A.R.E. to live an eternal life in hell
After thinking about that, my future looks bright knowing that I will steer clear, away from the road to temptation. I will always remember what I have learned! We all know the saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away". My new saying is "an Appel a day keeps the astray." My name is Brennan Emerick and the choice for me is Drug Free. Can you vow to live a life free of drugs? Go ahead I D.A.R.E. you!
1st Place essay from the graduating DARE class at St. Peter’s School, on May 18th.
The essay was submitted by Brennan Emerick, 5th Grade
