KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- 2,800 Knox County fifth graders are now prepared to resist drugs.

Children from 19 area schools celebrated their "DARE" graduation Mondathis morning at Thompson-Boling arena.

Knox County motorcycle officers kicked off the festivities by driving into the arena with their sirens blaring.

Official "DARE" safety buddy Retro Bill made an appearance with his safety and self-esteem show.

Knox County has been hosting the 10-week program and mass graduation since 1993.

Knox County Sheriff Captain Brian Stannard says, "Some of them will start receiving offers in middle school and high school, so we want them to be able to remember what they learned, and to employ those skills if they're ever pressured to use drugs or alcohol, or to participate in violence."

Each school's essay winner received a DARE backpack with a water bottle, radio, personal fan, ball cap, chocolate bar and autographed posters of UT coaches Pat Summitt and Bruce Pearl.