By NICK YAMASHITA
Moapa Valley Progress
Local Metropolitan Police officers have introduced a new drug prevention program to elementary schools students Moapa Valley and Bunkerville. The D.R.E.A.M.S. program, created and introduced by the Henderson Police Department in 2008, has been adopted and adapted for the local community.
The program was introduced to fifth graders at JL Bowler Elementary in Bunkerville and at Ute V. Perkins Elementary on Wednesday, Feb. 5. The program will get underway this week at Grant Bowler Elementary with Officer Chris Kohntopp leading things off there.
Officer Corey Estes explained the program to schools. In 2013, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department announced that, due to budget cuts the Drug Abuse Resistance Program (DARE) was being terminated after 25 years in local schools. However, the program was also under scrutiny due to several scientific studies stating that the program was ineffective.
“After D.A.R.E. was stopped, we have been trying to bring something similar back into the schools,” Estes said. “Recently, a few years ago, a Henderson police officer told us about the D.R.E.A.M.S. program.
This program focuses not just on educating students about drugs and the dangers of them, but also teaches kids about making good choices and making their dreams come true.
“We did some research into the program and started immediately trying to get it going here,” Estes said. “It is exciting we now are able to start the program!”
The acronym D.R.E.A.M.S. stands for Decisions, Responsibilities, Education, Achievement, Motivation and Self-Esteem. The six-week program is designed to help students make positive choices which help further their career, school and other goals.
In the first couple of weeks, the program focuses on setting these goals and they get to do some “fun” homework as well. Students were each given a DREAM Board where they get to make a collage on the board about their goals and dreams. Students were excited to talk to Officer Estes about what they want to be when they grow up.
From there it goes into teaching the students the facts about tobacco use, vape use, drug use, peer pressure and even internet safety.
“This program is more cost friendly and time efficient,” Estes said. “It also helps still cover the dangers of drugs but in a more positive way to provide encouragement to not do drugs so students may be able to accomplish their goals.”
Estes told the kids how happy he was to be able to teach them about these things.
“I’m excited to teach you guys about this because I normally don’t get to do stuff like this where I get to work with others in a positive light,” he said.
The program will be going on for six weeks, once a week with one program at Ute V. Perkins, two programs at JL Bowler Elementary and three programs at Grant M. Bowler Elementary.
Materials for the program were funded by the Parent Teacher Organizations from each of the three elementary schools with assistance from the Friends of Metro Organization and a donation from Dr. Larry Moses.
An assembly and presentation will also take place at Mack Lyon Middle School on Feb. 18.
