This year hundreds of school children around Shelby County will benefit from D.A.R.E. (Drug Resistance Education), the highly acclaimed program that gives kids the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence.

Shelbyville County Sheriff Michael Miller is a strong supporter of the DARE Program and he has assigned two of his deputies to work with the program. Debbie Harrison is the full-time D.A.R.E. officer who teaches the program in all the schools in the county. Chief Deputy John Gee who was the former DARE officer still teaches one school per semester.

“I teach one school per semester to keep my skills sharp in case I have to fill in for Debbie,” said Gee.

Gee has worked with the DARE program for more than ten years. He said the benefits of the program are many but one of the biggest benefits in his eyes is the that it shows the kids law enforcement offices are good guys trying to help.

“Many times as kids are growing up the only interaction they may see from law enforcement is usually negative,” said Gee. “Whether it is a traffic ticket or an arrest, the kids may not see the good side of police officers. The DARE program lets them know we are here to help.”

For the last 15 years the Sheriff’s Office along with the Inn at Eagle Creek has sponsored the DARE picnic. There are outdoor games, prizes, gifts and plenty of picnic food.

This year the DARE graduates from the Shelby County Schools of St. Michaels of Sigel, Findlay, Windsor, Moweaqua, TowerHill/Pana, Cowden, Herrick, Stewardson-Strasburg, and Stewardson Trinity Lutheran attended and from the looks of things, had a great time. These graduates have completed the 12-week program designed to help them avoid drugs and alcohol.

Approximately 400 students, teachers, chaperones and exhibitors took part in the picnic. The classes got a close-up view of safety and educational exhibits from many different organizations and law enforcement agencies.

Some examples of the agencies who worked with the kids are: WAND Storm Runner 17 Weather Vehicle, Shelbyville Fire Department “Smokehouse”, Shelby County Rescue Squad “Jaws of Life” demonstration, Shelby Electric Cooperative “Electricity Safety Demonstration”, Christian County Sheriff’s K9 demonstration, Shelby County Dive Team, Shelby County Red Cross, and the list goes on.

Okaw Valley fifth grader Gretchen Macklin understands the value of DARE and enjoys the picnic.

“The DARE teaches you not to do drugs,” said Macklin. “The picnic is really fun.”

Macklin’s teacher Steve Baker also appreciates the DARE Program and enjoys the picnic.

“”I really think DARE is a worthwhile program and I believe it is something we need in our schools now days,” said Baker. “The picnic is awesome and the kids really enjoy it. It seems to get better every year.”

The young graduates had a great time competing in the best percentage in the Free Throw Contest and the greatest distance in the Softball Throw Contest. However, the big event of the day is the Tug-of-War Contest. The winners of that contest get to take home the trophy.

Sheriff Miller said he was glad for the beautiful day the kids had to enjoy the picnic and he was grateful for the exhibitors and Eagle Creek for all the help his department is given for this event.

“Fortunately we have great community support for this program and if it wasn’t for the folks who support this program through the calendar sales this would put a strain on my budget,” said MIller. “It has been a great day and well worth the time because we are investing in our future.”