2007 U.S. Army All American Bowl

San Antonio, Texas

January 6th, 2007

The Bexar County Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program was once again involved with the United States Army and SportsLink for the 2007 U.S. Army All American Bowl at the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas. This year Bexar County D.A.R.E. provided “FREE” tickets to all D.A.R.E. students and graduates local Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (J.R.O.T.C.) cadets, many of whom are former D.A.R.E. Program graduates themselves - promoting a quality family day. The Bexar County D.A.R.E. Board also had a display inside the Alamodome and was passing out “FREE” Child Safety identification kits along with other items (D.A.R.E. T-shirts) donated by Quantum and Skyline Promotionz. This year event was attended by over 12,000 D.A.R.E. students and their families. The word of the week and at this game was “J.U.I.C.E.” or Join Us In Creating Excitement that is drug and violence free. According to Deputy George D. Little, D.A.R.E. Officer-instructor and D.A.R.E. Coordinator for Bexar County – D.A.R.E. was promoting families spending quality time together in a drug and violence free family environment. Deputy Little said that D.A.R.E. was taking the new Army Motto, “You made them strong – we’ll make them Army Strong” and adapting it to the Bexar County D.A.R.E. Program telling parents “you made them smart and we’ll make them street smart”. Teaching kids now how to make safe and healthy choices today will make them ready for tomorrow. This is just another example of many how the Bexar County D.A.R.E. Program is far more than just having deputies/officers in a classroom, it is a commitment to the Community to help save our children from the horrors of tobacco, alcohol, over-the-counter, prescription drug use/abuse as well as illegal drug use/abuse. Sheriff Ralph Lopez has a deep conviction and passion for helping educate our children and for keeping them safe according to Deputy Little. The U.S. Army and Sports Link help young athletes secure scholarships to all major colleges and universities throughout the United States. “This is a Community all working together to help our young people have a bright and promising future – inspiring hope in all children that they can succeed” – according to Deputy Chief Andres Lozano – head of the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division, which D.A.R.E. falls under. Programs like athletics, J.R.O.T.C. and D.A.R.E. and a strong Community effort aided by the United States Army and SportsLink can make a difference when they work together. D.A.R.E. Works in Bexar County.