D.A.R.E.


D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)DARE-logo-300x225

D) DRUG... The D.A.R.E program was developed to address the alarming increase of drug abuse, a serious problem that plagues more and more of our young people.

A) ABUSE... Studies show that students who use alcohol or other drugs before the age of 15, are twice as likely to develop problems with drugs.

R) RESISTANCE... D.A.R.E. uses a different approach to educating young people. Based on research, the traditional scare tactics that preach the hardship of drug abuse are de-emphasized. Teens want to act grown-up and many of them view smoking, drinking, and the misuse of drugs are passports to adulthood. D.A.R.E tries to teach the students what being grown-up really means: not giving in to peer-pressure, making your own decisions, and learning to cope with life’s problems in positive ways.

E) EDUCATION... Police officers serve as instructors for the D.A.R.E program. The officers selected have been carefully screened and have been trained to present a seventeen lesson instructional unit to fifth grade classes who will soon be attending junior high school. The officers visit each class once a week.

Resistance education focuses on four main areas:

  1. Providing accurate information about alcohol and drugs
  2. Teaching students decision-making skills
  3. Showing students who to resist peer pressure
  4. Giving teens ideas for alternatives to drug use

Tips for Parents:

 The success of the program for your child depends upon your reinforcement of ideas taught in D.A.R.E. Please contact your D.A.R.E. officer if you have any questions.

  • Establish family rules that make the use of drugs non-negotiable
  • Educate yourself about drugs so that you can talk informatively with your children and answer their questions.
  • Know your children’s friends and the other parents.
  • Establish a network that will bring you closer to your children and their activities.
  • The more you are in touch with your children, the more you will be aware of any possible problems that may arise.