In St. Bernard Parish, a resurgence of commitment to the well-being of its youth unfolded as several hundred fifth-grade students stepped up from the spring semester of the D.A.R.E. program, a concerted effort by local authorities to steer young minds away from the snares of drugs and violence. In a series of ceremonies that encompassed schools such as Chalmette Elementary and Lacoste Elementary, the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office marked the occasion with earnest messages from Sheriff James Pohlmann and Col. Daniel Bostic.
The core message, woven through speeches by both Pohlmann and Bostic, touched on the decisions children face in the crux of adolescence, where pressures loom large and consequence often feels distant, the key lies in their ability to discern the perilous from the secure with drugs, alcohol, and peer relationships. The importance of guidance from parents and teachers anchored the narrative – as conveyed in a Facebook post by the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office – highlighting an interconnected network of support aimed at constructing a bulwark for these children against the undertow of drug use.
With an air of solemnity and yet hope, Sheriff Pohlmann advised the graduates to respect the wisdom of their elders and choose their friends with care, for it is in these choices that the tapestry of their lives will be woven, these sentinel moments deciding much. Col. Bostic resonated this sentiment, adding the criticality of reporting bullying and stepping in as guardians of their peers when they spy injustice, as reported by the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Pohlmann and Col. Bostic spoke to parents, praising them for staying involved in their children's lives and watching for early signs of drug use, as per the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office. They emphasized that parents play a vital role in guiding and supporting youth, helping to build a stronger future for the community.
