A Vienna officer will be speaking to local students about how to say not to drugs, as he is now a graduate of the D.A.R.E. Instructor Program on Sept. 21.

Master Police Officer Gary Lose, who serves as the Vienna Police Department's public information officer, is now one of more than 125 D.A.R.E. instructors in Virginia. 

During the two-week program, Lose gained experience in a real classroom where the teacher praised him for his ability to keep the program moving with his interactive approach.

"He worked hard to keep students actively listening and respectful of one another," the teacher said, according to a news release from VPD.

The D.A.R.E. program's primary mission has remained the same since its founding in 1983: "To provide children with the information and skills they need to live drug- and violence-free lives."

Before his role as PIO for the department, Lose previously served as a detective and field training instructor to new officers.