The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) course at Colonel John Siegried Elementary School and Good Shepherd Parchial School has a new curriculum.

The Northampton Police Department, partnering with the borough and Northampton Area School District, holds the 10-week course for sixth-grade students.

The program, in its 15th year, was started by retired Police Sgt. Anthony Lopsonzski Sr. For the last several years the program has been headed by Police Chief Ron Morey, who also works as the instructor.

For many years, the curriculum focused on drug awareness and drug and alcohol abuse.

According to Morey, the state changed the curriculum to "Responsibility and also Decision Making." The components heavily emphasize teaching the dangers of drugs, alcohol and bullying.

Alliance Fire Company recently sponsored the program. In earlier years, the state partially funded the project, but has not done so recently. The Northampton Veterans of Foreign Wars Home Association funds the course.

"Each student, prior to the course ending, has to write an essay on a specific topic," Morey said.

A graduation exercise is held at the borough schools. The students receive a certificate and winners of the essay contest read their essays and are presented with stuffed lions. Parents and family are also invited to attend the ceremony.

Mayor Thomas Reenock speaks at the ceremony on the benefits of attending the course and what it means to students and families.

Northampton County Judge Emil Giordano, former solicitor for the Borough of Northampton, clears his court calender to also speak at the graduation.