Fifth Graders Pledge to 'Just Say No'

“We will fight each day, drug free we will stay.”

Fifth graders of both Euclid and Lincoln elementary schools proudly sang these words in front of parents, teachers and school administrators, Mayor Rose Heck and borough council members as they marked their completion of the D.A.R.E. program Thursday night.

“I will be drug free because drugs can hurt my body,” said one student who shared from his winning essay.

“I don’t want to see my life fade away before my eyes,” said another student.

Other students explained to all how they learned the facts about drugs and alcohol and how addicting nicotine can be, that 400,000 people die of related deaths each year, that marijuana can also be addicting and increase one’s risk of cancer, and how alcohol can damage any organ in the body.

As the students proved to all the skills they learned in the D.A.R.E. program they received encouraging words from their leaders. Mayor Heck told the students that not only did the program teach them about the dangers of drugs and alcohol but it also gives them confidence. She reminded them that the police, herself and other borough officials will always be for them.

Police Chief Michael Colaneri reminded all that Hasbrouck Heights was one of the first in the state to offer the D.A.R.E. and it is something the borough continues to support putting the children first. He reminded parents that they are one of the biggest parts of the puzzle in keeping their kids drug free. Parents should not be afraid to say no to their children when they need to, he advised, adding that they should always know what they are doing and who with.

The chief told the students that one day they will be faced with having to use the tools they learned in the D.A.R.E. program as one day someone somewhere will offer them a cigarette or a drink and they should not be afraid to say no.

Dr. Mark Porto, superintendent of schools, got the students excited about what they accomplished in this program stating that he was very proud of them. He asked them to take a look at their police department leaders, their teachers and governing officials and see that they are an example of people who said no to drugs.

The D.A.R.E. program which stands for Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education is taught by Sgt. Joseph Rinke who told the students and the audience that he is very grateful for this assignment as in his 20 years of police work it is the most rewarding work he does.

One by one each student received their certificate of completion from Sgt. Rinke, Chief Colaneri, Councilmen John Dingertopadre, Joseph Rinke, Mayor Heck and their school principals Peter O’Hare and Lesa Brinker.