Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin would like to congratulate all 5th grade students in Etowah County on their completion of the D.A.R.E. Program.

D.A.R.E. is a series of classroom lessons, led by the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, which educates kids about how to make good decisions, resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives.

Graduation ceremonies were held at Duck Springs Elementary, Glencoe Middle, Hokes Bluff Middle, West End Elementary, Carlisle Elementary, Highland, Ivalee Elementary, Southside Elementary and Whitesboro Elementary schools, where students received a D.A.R.E. diploma. 

During the ceremonies, students were encouraged by Sheriff Todd Entrekin, Judge William Rhea, Judge William Russell, Judge Wayne Owen and Judge David Kimberley to “Do the Right Thing” and make good choices! 

Sheriff Todd Entrekin states, “The D.A.R.E. program not only teaches kids to be drug free but, it also opens dialogue between the school, law enforcement and parents to deal with other issues.”

“Teaching kids the skills they need to avoid taking part in drugs, gangs and violence continues to be rewarding,” says Sgt. Lanny Handy. “I continue to learn from them, after 15 years with the D.A.R.E. Program.”

Etowah County’s D.A.R.E. Program is funded by the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney and Etowah County Commission.