On June 23, 2016, Borough President Oddo joined with members of the NYPD to congratulate the 5th grade students who participated in the "Too Good For Drugs" program at P.S. 69. The curriculum is co-taught in the classroom by an NYPD police officer and a school teacher. The program, which is in its second year, took place in 5th grade classes in every public school on Staten Island, as well as in several parochial schools. Over 5,000 students on Staten Island participated in the program this year.
At the ceremony, BP Oddo and members of the NYPD spoke about the dangers of addiction and how students should continue to educate themselves on the disease. An NYPD officer who taught the program also talked about how the program made a positive impact on his interactions in the community.
BP Oddo spoke to the graduates, using the metaphor of turning on a light switch to symbolize addiction, “Once you turn on that light switch, it's really hard to turn it off, even if you want to. You have to think about all the things the police officers taught you, long after you leave 5th grade.”
“One thing this program shows is how, together, there’s nothing we can’t do,” noted Assistant Chief Edward Delatorre, Borough Commander of NYPD, speaking to the graduates. “We are so proud of you. You are the reinforcements we need in the battle against substance abuse.”
At the end of the ceremony, students took a pledge to abstain from tobacco, alcohol and drugs.
At the ceremony, BP Oddo and members of the NYPD spoke about the dangers of addiction and how students should continue to educate themselves on the disease. An NYPD officer who taught the program also talked about how the program made a positive impact on his interactions in the community.
BP Oddo spoke to the graduates, using the metaphor of turning on a light switch to symbolize addiction, “Once you turn on that light switch, it's really hard to turn it off, even if you want to. You have to think about all the things the police officers taught you, long after you leave 5th grade.”
“One thing this program shows is how, together, there’s nothing we can’t do,” noted Assistant Chief Edward Delatorre, Borough Commander of NYPD, speaking to the graduates. “We are so proud of you. You are the reinforcements we need in the battle against substance abuse.”
At the end of the ceremony, students took a pledge to abstain from tobacco, alcohol and drugs.
