16 Jan 08 Police truck used for drug prevention wins car show

The customized pickup truck gets its share of oohs and aahs when it’s used by Glendale police for a drug-prevention program taught in schools.

The vehicle, a blue 2005 Chevrolet, has impressed other people as well, police said.

Last weekend, it captured a first-place award during the 39th annual World of Wheels car show held at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

It won best-in-class honors in the category of conservative pickup, 1988 through 2005, said Officer Matt Barnett, a Glendale police spokesman.

The truck is used by police for DARE, or Drug Abuse Resistance Education, a program taught to fifth- and sixth-graders in about a dozen Glendale schools, Barnett said.

The vehicle, which is used to grab the attention of children, features loud stereos, custom paint and even a video-game station.

Children are attracted to the truck and eventually feel at ease about talking to the officer behind the wheel, Barnett said.

This helps to foster a good working relationship as police begin to talk to students about avoiding drugs and staying out of trouble, he added.

Tags: Chevrolet, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, pickup truck, Trucks