SC deputies serve up ice cream, talk down drugs

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Richland County deputies plan to serve ice cream with a message they hope will help area youth stay away from drugs.

Sheriff Leon Lott is taking part in the eighth annual DARESCREAM Night at a Baskins Robbins ice cream parlor in Columbia on Thursday.

Lott is dishing out ice cream, and he and some of his deputies are working to raise awareness for the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, or D.A.R.E.

There are activities including a bounce house, obstacle course and face painting, as well as basketball and soccer competitions. There will also be a bicycle safety course and several police vehicles on display.

Lott says there will be a drawing for a chance to have lunch with him, and a D.A.R.E. poster contest is also planned.