Bruce Bogg has spent the last 21 years of his career convincing students in the Elmwood Park area not to use drugs and alcohol.
A retired Elmwood Park police officer, Bogg still runs the department’s D.A.R.E. program, working with students at St. Celestine Catholic School and several other elementary schools in the area.
“The [drug] problem never stops,” he said. “I have to be there to help the kids.”
On Feb. 23 in St. Celestine’s gym, 45 fifth-grade students participated in the D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony after successfully completing a 10-week class.
Short for Drug Awareness Resistance Education, D.A.R.E. is a long-running substance abuse education program that seeks to prevent the use of illegal drug and gang membership through educational programs — often with the help of law enforcement.
St. Celestine Principal Jeanine Rocchi says the fifth-graders are at a stage in their life where they’re very receptive to the program.
“If we get them to make good decisions now, the better it is when they get older and get more pressure,” she said. “They’re still young and open to what the adults have to say.”
At the afternoon ceremony, Brooke Daciolas, 11, of Chicago, showed off her D.A.R.E. graduation certificate to her dad, Ken Daciolas.
Brooke enjoyed the D.A.R.E. class with Bogg, saying she learned why to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
“He told us not to do it because it messes up your body,” she said.
Bogg said he tries to make the class enjoyable as well, doing role-playing activities with the students in different scenarios.
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Jack Schnoebelen, 11, was one of several students who read a paper aloud to the class. His was on the adverse effects of alcohol on the body.
He said he enjoyed the class and Bogg was a good teacher.
“It’s fun and you learn what to do and not to do,” he said.
Deena Decicco, 45, of Chicago, came out to the school to see her daughter, Anna, graduate and show her support. She has been to several D.A.R.E. graduations.
“This is my third daughter to come through the program,” she said.
She said she has seen the impact Bogg has had on her children and the other students at the school.
“They love him,” she said. “We’re very grateful he is dedicated to the program and grateful to have people in the community helping these kids.”
The village of Elmwood Park helps pay to keep the D.A.R.E. program running; the rest of the funding comes through donations and fundraising events. Bogg said he isn’t going anywhere and will keep holding the D.A.R.E. class because it’s needed.
“I just love working with the kids,” he said. “Someone has to do it — someone has to look for the kids.”