CANAJOHARIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -Canajoharie Central School District’s 6th grade D.A.R.E. class graduated on Thursday afternoon. Before getting their certificates, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office visited soon-to-be 7th graders in the new D.A.R.E. Camaro.

With help from the Sheriff’s Office, students learned about drugs, alcohol, peer pressure, stress and most importantly making choices. The 6th graders wrote essays on what they learned and some of them were read to the entire class.

“Sometimes I wonder if I would be a coward and do drugs but now I am confident in my answer and it is an absolute no,” read one of the students.

Parents were also in the bleachers, listening to what their students had to say and watching them receive medals and certificates. Lacey Arduini explained having these tough conversations is great at a young age. “Absolutely. Peter pressure is at an all time high. That’s when it starts usually I think and then builds from there so I think it’s definitely the right time to be bringing that stuff into the classroom.”

Waiting outside for students was the D.A.R.E. Camaro. “In that vehicle there was seven and a half ounces of cocaine and the vehicle was confiscated at that time and as part of the adjudication of the case, the vehicle was forfeited to the Sheriff’s Office,” stated Sheriff Jeff Smith.

The vehicle doesn’t go out on patrols. Instead it is brought to events to send a message:

“Violating the law, getting involved in drugs, alcohol, nicotine is not healthy. It’s not good for your future if you violate the law and end up getting wrapped up in the criminal justice system and symbols like this help bring that home,” said Sheriff Smith.

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