WESTMINSTER : Sixth-Graders Learn to Say No to Drugs

Besides reading, writing and arithmetic, local sixth-graders have begun learning another subject, one that police and school officials say may be just as important: resisting drug use.

Sequoia Elementary School opened a 17-week Drug Abuse Resistance Education program last week, and it is aimed at teaching youngsters to say no to drugs, said Capt. John Savage. The $65,000 program, funded by the school district and the Police Department, currently rotates an officer daily though six schools in the district.

The DARE program will expand later this year, when it will begin including sixth-graders throughout the rest of the city’s schools. “We’re very excited about it because the program is targeted to stop crime before it starts,” said Officer Robin Kapp. “Historically, gangs are involved in drugs and the DARE program is targeted to prevent kids from using drugs.”