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Highlands Today

Kudos To Sauls For Work With D.A.R.E.

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 8, 2009

With the exception of teachers and coaches, no one outside the home has probably had more influence on this county's youth than Sgt. Monica Sauls.

Sgt. Sauls of the Highlands County Sheriff's Office is leaving the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program and that is unfortunate. Sauls is not leaving the agency but has been reassigned.

The program was started to help children make the right choices and steer clear of drugs and alcohol.

It has grown to also include the Sebring and Avon Park police departments and from one deputy to about eight officers and deputies.

The D.A.R.E. motto, which Sauls created when the program began in the county 15 years ago, is a good credo for anyone but especially young people. "I am special; I am unique; I can do anything; I stop and think."

The last line is very important.

Swimmer extraordinaire Michael Phelps, far and away the star of the 2008 Summer Olympics, would do well to remember that.

Phelps was attending a party while visiting the University of South Carolina in November. While there to have a good time and apparently not thinking anyone would notice, Phelps enjoyed some weed.

But somebody did and took a photograph of him inhaling from a marijuana pipe. The photo showed up in a British newspaper.

Two things happened last week following the publication of the photo that has gotten a lot of attention.

USA Swimming has suspended Phelps from competition for three months.

Cereal and snack maker Kellogg Co. said it will not renew its sponsorship contract with Phelps.

The Olympic darling had better hope that the fallout ends there. But it may not.

A South Carolina sheriff was considering bringing charges against him but it remains unclear if that will happen.

Phelps has achieved fame and fortune at a young age. Responsibility comes with those things and people who are in Phelps' position always need to be aware of that.

It is safe to assume that someone at that party - perhaps many people - might have a cellphone camera. Phelps should have realized that as well.

It can't be emphasized enough to children and teens about stopping to think before doing something.

If our children can learn that they will become responsible adults and good citizens.

It's people like Sauls, who has come in contact with probably thousands of kids during her career, that we have come to rely on to teach and reinforce values.

We thank Sauls for her service to a vital program and wish her well.

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