Road Less Traveled

Prioritize positive law-enforcement interactions in our schools

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When I was in the 5th grade at Highland Elementary, I went through the D.A.R.E. program. The program, taught by a commissioned LCPD officer, was about much more than what kind of drugs you can take, as many detractors of the program mention as the reason why the program wasn’t effective. A female officer was kind and had a soft smile and she talked about effective communication strategies we could use to decline drugs likely to be offered by our closest friends. She spoke of medical issues often seen with even mild to moderate drug use and the long-term effects it could have on your body, your mind, your relationships and your life. But mostly, she offered the first real interaction that I had ever had with a law-enforcement officer – an interaction that was roundly positive, mutually respectful and very informative.

In the 7th grade, a very similar experience awaited me in the G.R.E.A.T. program, where we discussed even more in-depth the peer pressure that often exists related to gang activity and other criminal involvement. And while the officers weren’t as memorable as in the D.A.R.E. program, I still remember some of the stories relayed to us as reasons you should not venture into breaking the law. Let’s just say, you really don’t want to go to prison.

Subsequent studies have suggested that these programs were not effective. However, a study conducted by the University in North Carolina, looked at 45 schools across nine states and found that there was significant success of the program in reducing underage drug and alcohol use.

Despite positive experiences in the program, and it being used with success in our district since 1983, the Las Cruces Public School Board eliminated the D.A.R.E. program in the fall of 2020.

So, once again, Las Cruces falls behind the curve as it relates to our youth. Compare the after-school activities, museum and entertainment opportunities in our neighboring (yet much smaller) cities across New Mexico and it is easy to see that Las Cruces is inexcusably lacking. Alamogordo has a zoo and also a D.A.R.E. program. Deming has an awesome water park, family fun center and a fishing pond… and also a D.A.R.E. program. Silver City has a skate park and also a D.A.R.E. program. Even Lordsburg has a D.A.R.E. program.

Now, for those detractors of the original D.A.R.E. program, you might be happy to learn that there is a new curriculum now available. Called “keepin’ it REAL (kiR)” D.A.R.E., it is tailored for elementary, middle or high school students to include other life skills like communication strategies, health, self-awareness, dealing with stress, peer-pressure and bullying, with topics that are dependent on the age group but include more modern concerns like fentanyl and vaping in either dedicated classroom sessions or in school-wide assemblies. And for those who originally lamented that these programs were spear-headed by law enforcement, as opposed to education professionals, the kiR D.A.R.E. model is based on the widely regarded Socio-Emotional Learning Theory. It is being recommended by a number of prestigious professional organizations and societies as meeting the needs of today’s youth and the strict educational standards that must be adhered to.

Luckily, there are dedicated professionals in our area that recognize the value of the kiR D.A.R.E. program. In fact, the New Mexico National Guard, along with LCPS, has instituted a pilot program in two elementary schools for this upcoming school year. I hope that other schools will see the value of a positive experience with a law-enforcement officer and seek to join the program.

Life is rougher today than when I was in 5th grade. The drugs of today are a whole ‘nother animal than they were in 1997. Children are growing up these days much too soon. How about reaching them where they are now. We, as tax-payers, are already paying for school-resource officers within our schools. Pay the extra money to send officers to the training to teach kiR D.A.R.E. The booklets for the kiR D.A.R.E. program cost $1.65 each. I’d say that’s money well spent.

I would like to thank all of those who have been working on bringing this program back to Las Cruces, especially Ms. Leticia Sanchez-Freeman for her continued dedication to the youth and public safety in our community and for her contributions to this article.

Shawna Pfeiffer is a guest columnist, a life-long Doña Ana County resident, graduate of NMSU, small business owner, hobby farmer, dog-lover, outdoor enthusiast and mother to two young children. She can be reached at srpfeiffer1@gmail.com.

Shawna Pfeiffer, road less traveled, opinion

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