What is D.A.R.E.?
D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance and Education. It is a drug abuse prevention education program designed to equip elementary school children with knowledge about drug abuse, the consequences of abuse, and skills for resisting peer pressure to experiment with drugs, alcohol and tobacco. D.A.R.E. was originally developed in 1983 by the Los Angeles Police Department in conjunction with the Los Angeles United School district. Based on the premise that prevention is the only long-term answer to drug abuse, the program grew to include all 50 states and many countries abroad. This unique program uses uniformed law enforcement officers to teach a formal curriculum to students in a classroom setting. The Lanesborough Police Department began teaching the program in 1998. The D.A.R.E. program targets 6th graders and prepares them to enter junior high school, where pressures to use drugs and alcohol will most likely occur.
D.A.R.E. lesson plans focus on four major areas:
1. Providing accurate information about drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
2. Teaching students good decision-making skills.
3. Showing students how to recognize and resist peer pressure.
4. Giving students ideas for positive alternatives to drug use.
The D.A.R.E officer; James Rathbun, works with children to raise their self-esteem, teach them how to make decisions on their own, and help them identify positive alternatives to drugs. Through role-playing, the D.A.R.E., curriculum emphasizes the negative consequences of drug use, and reinforces the skills to resist peer pressure and intimidation.
Key Program Elements
D.A.R.E. is a cooperative effort by the police, schools, parents, and the community – all four working together to help our children make the right choices concerning drug use.
One of the unique features of Project D.A.R.E. is the use of uniformed police officers as instructors. D.A.R.E. officers are assigned to a classroom “beat”. The officers selected for the program are talented in human relations and communication skills. The officers are specially trained to present a 17 lesson instructional unit, which culminates in a special graduation ceremony.
The need for an effective education program to inoculate students against the threat of drugs is critical to the well being of our children and their future.
Please join with us and D.A.R.E. to keep our kids off drugs!
What D.A.R.E. is NOT
Scare tactics – D.A.R.E. relies on accurate information and a straight-forward approach.
A “Witch Hunt” – D.A.R.E. Officers NEVER encourage students to “turn in” family or friends who may be breaking the law. D.A.R.E. students are taught to say “someone I know . . . ” when sharing stories; never using real names.
“Hands on drugs” – How drugs are used (methods) are not taught. Drugs are never taken into a classroom as part of D.A.R.E.
Tips For Parents
- Establish family rules that make it clear that drug use will not be tolerated.
- Educate yourself about drugs, so you can talk informatively with your children and answer their questions.
- Spend time with your children listening to their concerns and showing how much you love and care for them.
- Recognize that YOU are their most important role model.
- Because peer pressure is a major factor in teen drug use, know your children’s friends.
- Talk with other parents. Try to establish uniform rules that make access to drugs harder, such as curfew and the amount of spending money they receive.
- If a problem exists, get help! Don’t say “Not my child!”
- Teach them about the many positive alternatives to drug use.
