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After ceasing in 2020 due to COVID-19, the D.A.R.E. program is receiving a revival this year, courtesy of Zach Thompson, Cassville school resource officer.

Thompson his role goes far beyond law enforcement — it’s about education, relationships and ensuring every student and staff member goes home safe.

“I’ve been raised here in Cassville my whole life,” Thompson said. “My first year as the SRO was 2019-2020, which we obviously know that COVID kind of hit at that point in time. So, my first year was a wild one. I got told that we were going to be taking a twoweek wellness break, and then we never came back to class.”

In his current day-to-day duties, Thompson said his focus is both on safety and education.

“The other part of me being the resource officer is being there for the teachers, the admin, the counselors, just whoever needs it,” he said. “When they have legal questions or different law enforcement-specific questions, like what can they do and what can’t they do, I help however I can. My goal every day is for all the kids to go home safe and for all the staff members to leave and feel secure.”

Thompson said the district has made major strides in safety over the last few years.

“I feel that the Cassville school district has done a fantastic job, especially as of late, of making sure safety is our first priority,” he said. “If you talk to [superintendent Merlyn] Johnson, he’ll probably tell you that education comes first, but for me, it’s the safety — and that’s what I see the most.”

Part of that safety, he said, includes building trust and familiarity with students.

“One of my focuses is fostering positive relations with the students,” he said. “I carry a big old water jug around with me. The main reason is to stay hydrated, but also because it takes attention away from the gun and taser. The kids ask about the water jug instead, and that’s what I want.

“I can be imposing to some people, especially if the kids aren’t growing up around a high opinion of law enforcement, so I try to change that as much as possible.”

Thompson said the small moments matter most when it comes to connecting with kids.

“I love going down the primary hallways and waving at them or going to class,” he said. “I’ve had students who were scared of me at first, but then after a high five or a wave, the next time they’d smile and wave back. Those little things mean a lot.”

Beyond the halls, Thompson said he is visible throughout the district and community.

“I’m at the football games to ensure safety,” he said. “At cross country events, I help with traffic, and I also help out with SADD, our Students Against Destructive Decisions. We do what’s called a docudrama, a staged event where we respond to a mock accident with fire and EMS. It shows kids the realities of what could happen if you drink and drive.”

This year, his responsibilities also include running the sixth-grade D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program, which he said has evolved since he began teaching it.

“The D.A.R.E. program used to be about resisting drugs and alcohol,” he said. “Now, it’s about making smart and healthy decisions. We talk about bullying, cyberbullying, cyber awareness and just making good choices about friends and influences.”

Prominent in the 1980s and 1990s, D.A.R.E. was founded in Los Angeles to prevent misuse of controlled substances, gang membership and violent behavior.

Thompson said in Cassville, the emphasis is shifting to a more rounded program addressing not only drugs and alcohol, but also decision-making and digital citizenship.

“There are still elements of the program about resisting drugs and alcohol, but we also talk a lot about safe choices, risk and consequences,” he said. “We ask them to stop and think and use the D.A.R.E. decision-making model — define, assess, respond and evaluate — for any problem they may be encountering.”

Thompson said discussions around peer pressure and bullying have been engaging, as well as learning steps to say “No.”

“The first couple lessons, we discuss health effects of drugs and alcohol and how teens can be more dependent because their brains are still developing,” he said. “Then, I’ve been working with the digital citizenship teacher on internet safety. The kids know a lot from her on that, so it’s more of a review.

“On Red Ribbon Week Sept. 22-26, we talked more about prescription drugs, vapes and those types of things. And we talk about bullying. They already know how to access bullying reports, but we talk about who are trusted adults to give them too, then some on peer pressure and decision- making.”

Thompson administered the program to half of the sixth-grade class in the fall, and the other half will do the program in the spring. He said after the first session, he’s confident the information is sticking.

“They can spout off the decision-making model pretty easily now,” he said. “At the beginning, I let them ask me questions about being a cop and personal questions if they are school-appropriate, then I tell them they can ask three more questions at the end of the program if they go through the presentation well. I think that has helped keep their attention.”

Outside of D.A.R.E. and back to everyday duties, Thompson said vaping has become one of the most common issues schools face today.

“Vapes are a huge problem right now,” he said. “You can’t catch them all, and unfortunately, it’s just a reality that we’ve got to deal with. They disrupt learning time so much.”

Despite the challenges, Thompson said humor and humanity go a long way in his job.

“Obviously, I don’t eat that many donuts, but who doesn’t enjoy a good donut?” he said. “And I’m not going around messing with people like the Super Troopers — not doing the ‘meow’ game.”

Thompson said the image of the SRO has changed dramatically over the years.

“A lot of people, whenever SROs first became a big deal, thought it was a cushy job for retired guys who were ready to be off in a couple years,” he said. “But, it’s gradually shifted. Now, I’m doing walkthroughs of the school at least once a day, most of the time twice. I deal with children’s division, students who need help and with counselors and admin.”

Mental health, Thompson said, is another key area of focus.

“With middle schoolers and high schoolers, we see a lot of anxiety, suicidal thoughts and self-harm,” he said. “I still respond to those outside of the school whenever school is not in session. I try to let kids know that they are cared for and appreciated.”

Thompson said he’s grateful for the safety programs and partnerships in place.

“I really appreciate the [SRO] program and the safety work that’s made a huge difference,” he said. “It’s taken a little bit of relief off my shoulders that I’m not just the only person up there with a gun (in reference to Cassville’s armed teachers program).”

When he’s not at school, Thompson stays busy serving the city as a patrol officer.

“When I’m not there, another officer does a walkthrough during the day,” he said. “When school isn’t in session, I’m out on the road doing regular patrol, responding to calls, accidents, domestics and stuff like that.”

Outside of work, Thompson said he finds balance in simple things.

“When I’m home, I play with my dog and my kid,” he said. “At night, I like to game — it’s my stress reliever.”

While his job is full of challenges, he said it’s also full of purpose.

“The day-to-day can be hectic, but it’s also rewarding,” he said. “Seeing the happy faces, being there for the kids, and making sure everyone feels safe — that’s what it’s all about.”