Custom DARE videos available for purchase

Videotapes for three elementary schools participating in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program are being produced by Douglas High students in an advanced television production class.

Seven students began producing tapes at the beginning of the spring semester, said teacher Susan Bullard, who has taught at the school for seven years.

"They really enjoyed being back with the kids," Bullard said. "They like the kids' enthusiasm and interaction. Some of the girls pulled students out of the class to ask 'What do you think about DARE?'"

DARE officials from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office visited fifth-graders at C.C. Meneley, Gene L. Scarselli and Minden elementary schools.

Deputy Diane Bertram approached students with the idea of producing individual videotapes for each elementary school.

"The information we provide pretty much stays with the student, but it does need to be reinforced," Bertram said. "Basically, DARE gives kids the tools to deal with peer pressure and skills to say no."

Bertram had carried out a similar, successful program in Carson City. When she showed those videos to the high school's advanced TV production class, "the students got really excited and thought it would be a great thing to do," Bullard said.

"They get to feel like they're professionals," she said. "They're out of the classroom, they're out with their gear, and they're on assignment. The video has to be done. It's pretty close to a professional experience."

Heather Steininger, 18, a Douglas High junior, said TV production students have learned about producing videos.

"It was fun," she said. "We've had a lot of fun doing it and have gained experience in cutting and editing."

The tapes reinforce what has been taught to students in the DARE programs. When complete, the tapes should be about an hour long, Steininger said.

They include clips from DARE officials, interviews with students and stories of encouragement from Rite of Passage teens.

"As far as the DARE program, for the message to be reinforced that drugs and alcohol are dangerous things is an excellent message," Bullard said. "It impressed me when my own children went through DARE."

At a cost of $10, tapes for Meneley, Minden and Scarselli will be available to order at DARE graduations. Students at Meneley already have graduated from the DARE program.

To order tapes for Meneley, call Douglas High at 782-5136.

Students at Scarselli will graduate April 1, and the tentative date for graduation at Minden in March 18.

The graduations will be included in the videotape. Money from the tapes will benefit the TV production class.

on the net

The DARE program

www.dare.com