Elementary students in Kennewick “DARE” peers to say no to drugs

Before facing the peer pressure of drug and alcohol use in middle school and beyond, several elementary school students pledged to stay drug-free Monday alongside the Kennewick officers who helped educate them.

65 students at Sage Crest Elementary in Kennewick celebrated their graduation from the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program with speeches from Kennewick officers, reading their essays about why they will say no to drugs and getting to meet those officers.

Fifth graders Lily Carnline and Rebecca Kadinger say they are nervous about going to middle school but have a message for students about saying no to drugs.

"If other kids are taking it, then you shouldn't take it, if they are trying to pressure you into taking them, don't! Just walk away!" says Lily Carnline.

"Just don't take drugs, because it is not smart and you can ruin your life and your career," says Rebecca Kadinger.

Mike Meyer with Kennewick Police says he knows the program has an impact on the kids.

"Some of them I have taught personally are now Sophomores in college, they were my first class that I taught, and they come back and I'll see them at restaurants or I'll see them in town and they say, 'Hey, still drug free,'" says Meyer.

In the next few weeks, nearly all the elementary schools in Kennewick will hold similar graduation ceremonies.