Anti-Drug Rally Teaches Students to 'Just Say No' [VIDEO]

At both and elementary schools the theme of the day was presented quite clearly - Just say No to drugs.

Friday’s anti-drug rally marked the end of the annual Drug Prevention Week, which was full of events, anti-drug theme days and the D.A.R.E. graduation.

Similar programs were conducted at both schools as the students heard wise words of encouragement from members of the borough’s along with members of the borough council.

“You can have a lot of fun without drugs, alcohol and tobacco,” Police Chief Michael Colaneri told the students. “Drugs will hurt you, not help you.”

Councilman Justin DiPisa, police commissioner, reminded the youngsters that they are the future of Hasbrouck Heights. He told them he sees future teachers, future police officers and maybe even a future mayor within the crowd.

Students also got the clear message to stay away from drugs and alcohol by way of a rap song, performed by Bloomfield High School junior Tim Hegedus. Before he performed he told the students he wrote this song as a result of finding that drugs can be much harder to resist in high school but it’s about the choices one makes and through the words of his rap he told how the right choice is to say no to drugs.

At both schools the students broke out into giggles, laughter and cheers when Sgt. David Donow of the Bergen County Police K-9 unit brought out the dogs to give them an educational lesson on how these dogs are trained to sniff out drugs or bombs.  

Donow explained that trained to recognize the scent of drugs to assist the police in a search.  Drugs are just as harmful to the dogs as it would be to kids, therefore the dogs never come in actual contact with the dogs, Donow explained. 

At both schools, Sgt. Joseph Rinke, who teaches the D.A.R.E. program had the fifth grade students who had just celebrated their culmination the previous night recite the D.A.R.E. pledge for all their fellow classmates.