The Selma Police Athletic League (PAL) recognized 25 students that completed its “The Truth About Drugs” awareness program last week during a ceremony at the Selma Police Department’s (SPD) PAL Center.

The four-week program taught young people about the dangers of drugs and provided them with strategies on how to avoid them.

“The four-week program focused on drug education to keep out schools and communities healthy and safe,” said progran instructor Joyce Kendrick.

Each child designed their own anti-drug slogans for public service announcements and hear from local law enforcement officers on preventing drug use and avoiding peer pressure.

“The program was very successful with the kids participating and being involved with learning about the different drugs and how to empower them to choose not to take drugs in the first place,” said SPD Det. Dorothy Cowan, Director of Selma PAL.

The program was written and developed by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, a non-profit public benefit organization aimed at providing youth and adults with information on drugs, with an eye toward assisting them in making informed decisions and living drug-free lives.

Selma PAL is a non-profit organization committee to reducing juveile-involved crimes and victimization by providing young people with an opportunity to interact with law enforcement officers in a positive setting.