Former Paulding D.A.R.E. Student Becomes D.A.R.E. Teacher

(Paulding County, GA) On April 6, 2018, Lieutenant Dee Morris had the opportunity to watch one of her former D.A.R.E. students complete a life goal. Back in 2005, Lieutenant Morris taught a young 5th-grade student at Nebo Elementary what D.A.R.E. is and what it represents. Because of what that little boy learned in D.A.R.E., he told Lieutenant Morris that when he grew up, he wanted to become a police officer also. That little boy grew up and is now in the United States Army. SPC Chase Dickerson is assigned to Fort Rucker (Alabama) as a Military Police Officer where he is also a D.A.R.E. instructor. SPC Dickerson was a 2012 graduate of South Paulding High School.
SPC Dickerson called Lieutenant Morris and asked her to come down for his very first D.A.R.E. graduation and to be the keynote speaker. Lieutenant Morris delivered a great message on how D.A.R.E. teaches 5th-grade students to make the “best possible choices”.In 1993, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office began the D.A.R.E. program at the direction of Sheriff Bruce Harris (retired). Lieutenant Morris began teaching D.A.R.E. in 1996. Since he was elected in 2008, Sheriff Gary Gulledge has continued this worthwhile program that educates every 5th-grade child in Paulding County. D.A.R.E. is not just a “Just Say No” program that teaches children to avoid drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. D.A.R.E. also incorporates lessons on how to be a good role model, being a good digital citizen, anti-bullying, as well as how to make the best possible choices in life.
Sheriff Gulledge noted, “What a blessing it is to see how impactful we can be on a young person’s life. SPC Dickerson is just one of the many success stories we have seen over the years in regards to how the D.A.R.E. program has positively impacted someone’s life.”
If you have any questions or would like to make a donation to the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office D.A.R.E. program, please give Lieutenant Dee Morris a call at (770) 443-3010.