Byram fifth graders learning to resist drugs, violence

Byram - Fifth-grade students at the Byram Intermediate School are learning to D.A.R.E. to resist drugs and violence. The Drug Abuse Resistance Education class begins by giving each student their decision-making model to help them made good decisions. It includes defining and describing the problem, challenge, or opportunity, assessing the possible choices, responding using the facts and information they have gathered to make a choice, and finally, evaluating their decision. The students are learning the health effects and facts about the use of tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol. They are discussing what peer pressure is and positive ways to deal with their friends. They are also role-playing ways to take charge of risky situations. The class concludes with a D.A.R.E. graduation recognizing and honoring each student participant. Detective Todd Duffy of the Byram Police Department is the instructor.