Chief Dana Kammerlohr, of Cassville, is now a member of the National DARE Law Enforcement Advisory Board. Chief Kammerlohr has been involved in DARE for more than 25 years. She has taught the DARE program at Cassville Middle School and other surrounding districts.
“The kids need to know that we are human and we are there for them and also that we will enforce the law when need be,” Chief Kammerlohr said.
However, Chief Kammerlohr’s involvement in the program is now reaching well beyond local schools as she serves as a member of the national DARE board. “It gives a voice for Missouri and a voice for Southwest Missouri and rural Missouri,” Chief Kammerlohr said. She says she believes in the DARE program because it’s important to share with students everywhere, at a young age, what it means to be drug-free.
“In DARE, we learned a lot about how drugs would negatively affect your body and also how to say ‘No,'” Eighth-Grade Student Jenna Crim said. “It made me want to make good decisions now, because you don’t want all the bad stuff to hit you in the face later,” Eighth-Grade Student Jacob Martinez said.
However, as times change Chief Kammerlohr says DARE curriculum changes, too. Over the years, they’ve added topics like bullying and cyberbullying. Chief Kammerlohr says one of her roles as a board member will be to help determine changes in the curriculum while keeping the foundation of the program strong. “It changes with time but the basic, core lessons are there,” Chief Kammerlohr said.
However, she says it’s not just in the classroom where conversations about drugs, bullying, and other tough subjects should be happening. “I would encourage parents to be supportive of their children and in their activities. In today’s world, everyone is so super busy, but they need to be there for them and listen to them,” Chief Kammerlohr said.
School board member Jon Horner says the DARE program is important in the school, but also in the community. It helps equip the next generation for making good choices. “When they’re faced with tough decisions and tough choices not only for themselves but also their families,” Horner said.
Chief Kammerlohr says teaching kids these values at a young age influences the future of the community. “It takes a village to raise a child. That’s true,” Chief Kammerlohr said.
Chief Kammerlohr will be on the board for two years, meeting in a different city a couple of times per year. Her first meeting is in Phoenix, Arizona in June.
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