Making the right decisions around your peers at a young age can be difficult, but it’s important that the correct one is made.
That’s why local police use high school students as role models during Drug Abuse Resistance Education courses each year.
Lt. Adam Nicholson with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department said D.A.R.E. role models have an impact on the program, which is taught to fifth-graders throughout the school year.
"I can talk to kids all day long, and I know they look up to the police, but I think they listen closely to someone who’s still in school," he said. "These kids know the role models have experienced peer pressure and bullying, so I think they’re going to relate and remember more from these kids."
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During a recent visit to St. John’s Lutheran School Sauers, four seniors from Brownstown Central High School stopped to visit and share their experience and advice on making good decisions in difficult situations.
D.A.R.E. role models usually are from the community where the younger students attend school. The 10-week program aims to give children the skills to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs and violence. It includes a graduation ceremony.
Ashley Schroer, a senior at Brownstown Central, said it was special to visit the school where she attended when she was younger. She can remember the role models from those days and the impact they made on her and others.
"When I was younger, I looked up to the D.A.R.E. kids, and they really influenced me positively," she said. "I want to influence other kids, and I want them to look up to me and help them. It really means a lot to be here."
Schroer, who plays sports and is involved with FFA, said she feels the D.A.R.E. program really helps youth.
"I think it helps kids grow up to be the best they can be and leads them on the right track," she said. "I think it helps them make the right decisions and know where they’re going in life."
Classmate and fellow role model Derek Thompson said he remembers how much the program helped him as he made his way through school.
"I thought giving back what was taught to me will be helpful to these kids as they grow," he said. "These kids need to know what they can expect in middle school and high school. They will have to make tough choices, and they need to know what the best choices are so they can live their best life."
Nicholson, who is in his first year of leading the course, said he relied on guidance counselors and principals to help him decide who would be a good fit for the program. He said he remembers serving as a role model when he was in high school.
Seeing the role models interact with the students is something he has enjoyed so far because he sees they like telling their stories.
"You could tell they were proud to be sitting in those chairs," he said. "All of them told me they enjoyed it."
Carly Brown said she remembers not having D.A.R.E. role models when she went through the program. She said she wanted to make sure someone filled the role.
"I think it’s fun to talk with them and tell them what they can expect in the future and how to make the best decision," she said. "I think it helps having an older person teach them what to expect in high school."
Braeden Walker agreed.
"I thought the kids need somebody who has experienced high school and the choices and situations that come up and what they should do," he said.
Nicholson said leading the program is rewarding. He said he recently has seen some of the students at local festivals, games and other places and they’ve come up to him to visit. He also said he feels the students are really absorbing the information.
"When I go back into a classroom and review the last week’s lesson, the hands go up and I see they’re retaining the information I’m giving them," he said. "That to me is really rewarding and shows that it’s working."
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D.A.R.E. role models for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department
Brownstown Central seniors: Carly Brown, Ashley Schroer, Derek Thompson and Braeden Walker
Crothersville seniors: Carson Farmer, Cami Keasler and Josh Thomas
Medora juniors: Jared Starr and Jaylen Spence
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