DARE Carnival Culminated Year-Long Education on Drugs, Alcohol
Cinnaminson's fifth-grade students participated in the program all year, and enjoyed a picnic Monday afternoon.
The Cinnaminson Police Department held the very first DARE carnival for the township's fifth-graders who successfully completed the first-year program.
After years of promoting DARE through the police car only, Officer Michael Czarzasty—with the help of Lt. Tim Young and then-Chief Steve Fowles—went through training to teach the cirriculcum at Eleanor Rush, St. Charles and Westfield schools.
Once a month, Czarzasty taught nine classes about drugs, alcohol, marijuana and more. Upon completion of the program, Czarzasty organized a picnic held Monday at Wood Park. The Willingboro SWAT team, Army and Navy units, as well as a rock wall, limited-vision go karts, basketball, inflatable rides and music courtesy of Fowles were featured.
The Evesham K-9 unit was there, as well as Reef Fitness, who gave a soccer fitness clinic to kids.
Czarzasty said the students have responded really well to the DARE program, which stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education.
"I go outside the box and use news and media, too," Czarzasty said. "I try to make it more interesting to them."
Czarzasty said he talked about "spice," an herbal incense used as a recreational drug—something that's getting popular in the drug culture. He also used talked to the kids about salvia, a psychoactive plant recently in the news after popular teen idol Miley Cyrus was caught smoking it on video.
The officer said he often uses graphic pictures, videos and more to convey his message.
Also, each student had to write an essay, short story, song or poem in reference to the DARE program. Winners were awarded iPod Shuffles. Czarzasty sent one student's essay to DARE New Jersey. Rush fifth-grader Melanie Andrews has her essay, "Johnny's True Power," featured on the group's website.
Czarzasty originally was interested in promoting DARE in schools after a string of drug-related deaths hit Cinnaminson High School in the late 1990s and early 2000s, a few years after he graduated from there.
"I don't want kids to fall into that same situation," he said.
The carnival was a thank-you to the kids.
"It's an appreciation for them, to show them there's always a positive end to something. You work hard, you get a reward," he said.
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Pat Covert
4:16 pm on Tuesday, May 24, 2011
What a great program. CPD is the best!
Steve Fowles
4:40 pm on Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Congratulations to Mike Czarzasty and all the 5th Graders who went through the program. the day was a great success and all the kids looked like they had a great time. I applaud Officer Czarzasty for his dedication and all the hard work he has put into this program, including many hours of his own time. Keep up the good work Mike!
Ken Miller
5:07 pm on Tuesday, May 24, 2011
This sounds like it was a real success and the kids got a lot out of it!!
OFFICER MICHAEL CZARZASTY
8:19 pm on Tuesday, May 24, 2011
I just want to give thanks to Kim Mauroff and and all the parent volunteers, without them the day would have been a disaster. I would also like to thank Lt. Tim Young and the Willingboro SWAT team, the DJ Chief Steven Fowles, Reef Fitness, And all the men and women of the military for their drug free dedicated programs as well as their dedicated service to our country. Finally I would really like to thank the administration, teachers, and the students from all three schools for making this D.A.R.E. program such a success. I hope to make next year even better.
Christine T
9:43 pm on Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Thank you to officer czarzasty and all of the volunteers who made this day a huge success. My son had a great time and learned alot throughout three year.
Ken Miller
10:06 pm on Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Kim is deffinetley an asset to this town!!!
Linda DiMassimo
7:55 am on Wednesday, May 25, 2011
A big thanks to Officer Michael Czarzasty for putting this together. Mike you made a differece in alot of lives with the DARE program. It was a fun filled day for all I am so grateful that I could be apart of this. A big shout out to Kim for all her hard work.
S L
2:19 pm on Wednesday, May 25, 2011
You got that right Ken! We're going to miss her as our CEHASA prez next year :(
Denny Chesney
10:14 am on Wednesday, May 25, 2011
"Biff",
Sorry I was not here to enjoy the day to assist and/ or participate. Was In Texas with my son DJ. I knew you were going to do a GREAT job with this program. I am very glad it went from being "just a car" to an actual program. The "adopt-a-cop" program is so very instrumental in getting information to the kids and parents of the 3rd grades. I am glad to see that we do not forget about the children as they get older. I for one know all the hard work and dedication you put into getting this program off the ground. Congrats and a "job well done", keep up the good work!!!!!
Kathy Thompson
2:31 pm on Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Kin rocks. I was so impressed by what great events you lined up for the kids. You guys did the excellent job that defines the Cinnaminson Police Department. Thank you
Linda DiMassimo
5:50 pm on Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Officer Mike and his fellow officers did a fine job and made the police and township proud, and made it look good. I only hope that certain people on the township committee don't turn it into anything but what it was, which was a job well done. It is time for some healing in town, there has been far to much negitivity between the township committee and our police. I for one think it is time to stop it. How can we teach our kids how to behave when all the so called grown-ups can't? It is time for a sit down, it is time to talk about how we all can fix things and go foward.