For over two decades, Sullivan County Legislator Luis Alvarez has worked tirelessly to educate Sullivan County youth about the dangers of drugs, all while building fond memories and familiar relationships with students that have lasted for years.

Now, those years of dedication have paid off on a national level.

Last Friday morning, before a sizable crowd of Elks members from clubs across New York State, Alvarez was presented with the Enrique S. Camarena Award through the New York State Elks Association during their 112th Annual Convention and Spring Meeting held at Villa Roma Resort. 

As part of the Elks National Drug Awareness Program, the honor was presented at the Forum Nightclub during one of many meetings, workshops, and ceremonies taking place throughout the weekend at the resort.

The multi-day convention brought together Elks leadership and members from across New York State for business sessions, officer nominations, fundraising initiatives and presentations centered around community service and outreach programs. 

During the Opening Business Session, speakers spotlighted the organization’s charitable efforts, preparations for the upcoming national convention in Chicago and support for local communities.

Among the larger proceedings was Alvarez’s recognition, which stood out as a tribute to decades spent working directly with Sullivan County youth.

During the presentation, Alvarez was commended for serving Sullivan County as a D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officer since 1999. Throughout the years, he has also served as a school resource officer and juvenile officer, educating more than 21,000 children through the D.A.R.E. program and similar teaching efforts.

Presenters praised Alvarez for his longstanding dedication to children and families throughout the county, highlighting the lasting impact he has had across local communities.

Graciously accepting the award, Alvarez reflected on continuing his work even after retirement while also serving as District 6 Sullivan County Legislator.

“People think just because I retired and became a county legislator, I’m not involved as a D.A.R.E. officer anymore,” Alvarez said, quashing the misconception that D.A.R.E. is no longer part of his work.

Alvarez recalled that when funding for the county’s D.A.R.E. program was cut many years ago, he was approached by the Sullivan County Sheriff about continuing his work once funding returned. Because of that decision, at 77 years old, Alvarez still routinely teaches classes and participates in D.A.R.E. graduations throughout Sullivan County schools.

“This last Friday, I had a D.A.R.E. graduation where I participated,” Alvarez stated.

One of the moments that sticks with Alvarez the most is seeing former students return years later as parents, essentially passing the torch to their own children graduating from the same program.

He has even experienced entire groups of parents raising their hands when asked whether they themselves once took part in one of Alvarez’s D.A.R.E. classes.

“When we asked who their officer was, they said, ‘Mr. Alvarez,’” he fondly recalled.

To Alvarez, these moments prove that the program’s lessons stay with students long after graduation.

“Everybody says D.A.R.E. doesn’t work,” Alvarez stated. “That’s not true.”

Although he acknowledged that not every former student made the right choices, Alvarez said many later returned to admit that his guidance truly mattered.

“I’ve had some of them that got arrested, and through the years come and tell me, ‘You were right’,” Alvarez stated. “So in my heart, I felt like I did something that was right.”