Sen. Scott Cyrway, R-Benton, was presented with the 2016 Daryl Gates Lifetime Achievement Award at the International DARE Training Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, July 19.

The award is given annually to a DARE officer “who has distinguished themselves in their dedication to DARE and whose efforts demonstrate a commitment to DARE beyond the high standards evidenced by others involved in the program,” according to a news release from the Maine state Senate Majority Office.

Cyrway has been a DARE officer for 24 years and is the DARE training coordinator for the state. He is also involved with the Northern New England DARE, according to the release. In his first term as a state senator, he represents Senate District 16, which includes Albion, Benton, Clinton, Fairfield, Unity Township, Waterville and Winslow.

The award is named for the founder of DARE, which stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and was launched in 1983 to educate children about drug abuse.

Cyrway had a career in law enforcement before retiring, including as a corrections officer and assistant jail administrator.

During the 127th Legislature, Cyrway made it a priority to continue the public service on which he has built his career, sponsoring legislation to combat Maine’s drug crisis, protect Maine students, and protect Maine’s first responders, according to the release.

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