Nashville, Tennessee --- A new group of police officers and sheriff’s deputies graduated Friday June 15th from D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) training conducted by the Tennessee Department of Safety. The culmination exercise commenced at 11:00am, Friday June 15, at Radisson Airport Hotel in Nashville. 

Tennessee began its 38th D.A.R.E. Officer Training on May 30th at the Radisson Airport Hotel.  The training is conducted by the Highway Patrol’s internationally recognized D.A.R.E. unit.  The instructors teach a two-week course that certifies law enforcement in the Elementary and Middle School D.A.R.E. curricula.

The 22 officers who completed the course represent 21 Tennessee law enforcement agencies, one from Flambeau Tribal Police, Wisconsin, Sylvania, Ohio and El Dorado, Kansas.  Upon completion of the training, the officers are also trained to assume duties as School Resource Officers (SRO’s) in their communities.

“The D.A.R.E. program is important in the fight against drug use by young people,” said THP Commander Colonel Mike Walker.  “It’s success in keeping children and teens away from drugs is recognized across the United States, and around the world.”

D.A.R.E. is in its 24th year and is taught in all 50 states plus some 54 foreign countries.  Since 1990, the THP has conducted dozens of D.A.R.E. Training Seminars in Nashville.  The classes have prepared more than a thousand officers to work with young people on drug education.  D.A.R.E. focuses on responsibility and resistance to peer pressure.  It targets communication and refusal skills, decision-making skills and awareness about drugs and health.  D.A.R.E. programs across Tennessee reach approximately 80% of all school systems, and an estimated 50-thousand children each year.

“D.A.R.E.’s success proves that early intervention helps keep kids away from drugs,” said THP Lieutenant Leonard Moudy, Tennessee D.A.R.E. coordinator.  He adds “the curriculum is demanding and comprehensive.”

Lt. Moudy will attend the exercise along with Lt. Col Albert Strawther and Captain Chip Miller. 

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.

D.A.R.E. ROSTER

38th D.A.R.E. OFFICER TRAINING SEMINAR
June 3 - June 15, 2007

Bruce Alexander ................................  Henry County Sheriff’s Department
Michael Barnick .................................  Columbia Police Department
Katy Brier ..........................................  Flambeau Tribal Police Department (WI)
Christopher Carden ............................  Union County Sheriff’s Department
Aaron Clark .......................................  Gibson County Sheriff’s Department
Wesley Compton ...............................  Coopertown Police Department
Kevin Daniels ....................................  Sevier County Sheriff’s Department
Dennis Donaldson .............................  Dickson Police Department
Robert Gibson ..................................  Smyrna Police Department
Matthew Howlett ...............................  Metropolitan Nashville Police Department
Melanie Johnson................................. Bradley County Sheriff’s Department
John Melton ......................................  Henry County Sheriff’s Department
John Mossburg .................................  Sevier County Sheriff’s Department
Robert Roe .......................................  Sylvania Police Department, OH
Michael Schofield ..............................  Morristown Police Department
Amanda Scott ...................................  El Dorado Police Department, KS
Keith Smith .......................................  Pickett County Sheriff’s Department
Richard Stoffle ...................................  Sevier County Sheriff’s Department
Stacy Wigand…………………………..… Unicoi County Sheriff’s Department
Jonathan Worstell……………………....…Williamson County Sheriff’s Department
Jeff Wygul……………………………..….. Paris Police Department
Clint Zuendel………………………….……Bartlett Police Department