West End Elementary sixth-grade students took a pledge to say “no” to drugs, alcohol and tobacco this week.

After 10 weeks, the group graduated from the local Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, known as DARE, at Backus Community Center Wednesday.

International Falls Police Officer Dane Olson, who serves as the DARE officer, said he was approached this year by the sixth grade teachers about bringing the graduation ceremony back to conclude the program. The ceremony had experienced a hiatus since former DARE Officer Darrell Waller was involved in the program.

Students were awarded a certificate and a T-shirt for their involvement in the international education program that aims to prevent use of controlled drugs and violent behaviors.

As part of the program’s graduation requirements, students wrote a final essay describing what they learned during the 10 weeks of DARE training. Of more than 80 essays, nine were selected as winners.