ATLANTA, Ga. (WACH) - Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott was recognized by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and D.A.R.E in Atlanta Wednesday.
During the 25th DA.R.E International Training Conference in Atlanta, Lott was recognized as the 2012 National D.AR.E Executive of the Year for his leadership and vision, according to department officials.
D.A.R.E stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education.
According to the D.A.R.E. website, the program was founded in 1983 in Los Ageles and is now being implemented in 75 percent of our nation's school districts. It is a law enforcement led series of classroom lessons that teaches children from kindergarten through 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives.
The conference is lead by Charlie Parsons, President and CEO of DARE America and Agent in Charge DEA Atlanta Field Division Harry Sommers.
Parsons says lot was nominated because, "he is a man of action and believes in what DARE stands for and does."
Lott has lead the Richland County Sheriff's Department for 16 years with the philosophy and management style set on the corner stone of "Building Unity in the Community."
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWACH