As we first reported in March, DARE, a drug and alcohol resistance program, has become ADVANCE.
At that time, Assistant Hall County School Superintendent Martha Fritchley introduced school board members to the program.
Fritchley said ADVANCE to designed to educate students on how to avoid drugs, violence and gang influence. ADVANCE is the acronym for Avoiding Drugs Violence and Negative Choices Early.
Like DARE, which dealt with drugs and alcohol, ADVANCE will target fifth grade students.
Officials with the Hall County Sheriff's Office say ADVANCE is aimed at educating students on how to avoid not only drugs and violence, but gang influence, as well.
The kickoff is planned next Saturday at Lowe's on Shallowford Road.
It will feature public safety vehicles from:
*Hall County Sheriff's Office and Fire Services
*Gainesville Police Department and Fire Services
*Georgia Game and Fish
*Georgia State Patrol (helicopter)
*Hall County Sheriff's Office SWAT, Red Dog, and Dive teams
*U.S. Army 5th Ranger Battalion
*GBI
Music, games, prizes and much more are planned, according to the sheriff's office, including a "pie-in-a-cop's-face" game.
It's sponsored by Lowe's, Wal-Mart, Coca-Cola, the Hall County School System, Hall County Board of Commissioners, Walter's Management Company, and Concession Services.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/10/149416