LAPLACE — Deputy Darlinta Garrison is daring to make a difference in the lives of young people across St. John the Baptist Parish.

The six-year veteran of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office was recently announced as her department’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) officer.

“I’m really looking forward to working with the children — teaching them about making safe and responsible choices,” Garrison said. “The (D.A.R.E.) training was intense, but well worth it.”

Drug Abuse Resistance Education is a school-based drug awareness and prevention program that has evolved to also provide instruction to students on decision-making for safe and healthy living.

The 10-week lessons, offered locally to fifth graders in elementary schools, address drugs, violence, bullying, Internet safety and other high-risk circumstances students may face in their lives.

Garrison recently completed a two-week training program in Opelousas and will visit Fifth Ward Elementary, St. Peter Catholic School and John L. Ory Magnet for the fall semester, followed by West St. John Elementary, St. Joan of Arc and Emily C. Watkins for the spring semester. Garrison has previously served the Sheriff’s Office in the patrol unit, a public housing liaison officer and a grant writer.