Deputy Dalton and Sgt. Thorpe to Bring National Drug Prevention Curriculum to Local Classrooms

Greenbrier, AR — The Greenbrier School District is proud to announce that School Resource Officers (SROs) Deputy C. Dalton and Sergeant Steven Thorpe have officially completed their certification to become D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Officers. Their graduation from the intensive, nationally recognized training program took place on Friday, July 19, at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock.

The addition of the D.A.R.E. program marks a powerful step forward in strengthening the partnership between law enforcement and education in Greenbrier. D.A.R.E. is a K-12 prevention education program designed to equip students with the skills they need to resist peer pressure, avoid substance abuse, and build safe and responsible lives.

Deputy Dalton and Sgt. Thorpe are already planning an exciting launch of the program in Greenbrier schools for the upcoming school year. The program is structured with lessons focusing on responsible decision-making, understanding risks and consequences, managing stress, and building strong communication skills. Officer Thorpe noted the unique collaboration that will now be available to scale D.A.R.E. from elementary through secondary schools, as well as the opportunity for Greenbrier Police Department and Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office to extend collaboration for the sake of students.

“The energy around this initiative is electric,” said Deputy Dalton. “Being in this program has been a transformative experience. It’s incredibly rewarding to bring something to our schools that had such a personal impact on me as a student. Now, we get to be that influence for the next generation right here in Greenbrier.”

The collaboration with school counselors is another innovative feature of the rollout. Lessons delivered by Dalton and Thorpe can support the counseling program with a message of prevention while supporting the school community in meaningful ways.

“Having law enforcement officers actively involved in the educational journey of our students is a powerful example of community partnership at its best,” said Greenbrier Director of Student Safety Travis Barrentine. “We’re grateful for the vision and commitment of our SROs to bring this program to life.”

As certified D.A.R.E. officers, Dalton and Thorpe join an international network of trained professionals dedicated to creating safe and healthy environments for children. Their commitment underscores Greenbrier School District’s proactive approach to student well-being and school safety.

To learn more about D.A.R.E., visit https://dare.org.
Contact: Greenbrier School District
(501) 679-4808
info@greenbrierschools.org