Fifth Grade DARE Students Help Warn Against Substance Abuse

Ridge Against Drugs, better known as RAD, organized a letter writing campaign that connected fifth grade DARE classes at Cedar Hill and Liberty Corner schools with Ridge High seniors. 

The letters were delivered the day before the senior prom, a time where many students face temptation to use alcohol and drugs.  The letters carried anti-drug and alcohol messages and let the older students know just how much the younger students look up to them.

A fifth grader from Liberty Corner had this to share with the seniors:

"Dear Ridge Senior,

Please beware of prom and graduation weekend.  You are my role model and I do not want anything to happen to you.  If you are tempted to drink, say no!  Alcohol is the cause of so many car crashes.  Do not be in one of them.  You are a one of a kind person and irreplaceable.  Alcohol, drugs, and smoking will destroy your life, prom and graduation.  Don't take them!"

After reading her letter, a Ridge High senior commented on the impact it had on her, saying "I thought it was a really cute idea, for both the fifth graders and high schoolers because it was like PUSH reversed. Instead of us telling them not use drugs, they are telling us not to."

RAD is a youth leadership group based in Bernards Township.  Members attend the Lindsay Meyer Teen Institute over the summer and plan prevention activities throughout the school year.  They have participated in events such as Youth Summit Day and National No Name Calling Week at William Annin Middle School.

BuildingYouth is an initiative of the Bernards Township Health Department and the Municipal Alliance. www.bernardsassets.org.