DARE is a well-known program in many schools across America.
Kids often see DARE officers in their classrooms, but may not know what those letters mean.
DARE stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. This program tries to teach students how to avoid drugs, alcohol, gangs, and violence.
Police officers usually lead DARE classes in elementary and middle schools.
The DARE program started in 1983 as part of the War on Drugs.
Its goal was to stop drug use before it began.
Today, DARE uses a curriculum called “keepin’ it REAL” to help kids make good choices.
While some question if DARE works well, many still see it as an important way to teach kids about staying safe and healthy.
Understanding D.A.R.E.
D.A.R.E. is a well-known drug prevention program taught in schools.
It aims to help kids make good choices and stay away from drugs and other risky behaviors.
History and Evolution
D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education.
It started in 1983 as part of the war on drugs.
The program began in Los Angeles and quickly spread across the United States.
At first, D.A.R.E. focused mainly on saying no to drugs.
Over time, it grew to cover more topics.
Now, it teaches kids about alcohol, tobacco, bullying, and online safety too.
The program has changed based on research and feedback.
It now uses methods that have been proven to work better with kids.
The D.A.R.E Mission
D.A.R.E.’s main goal is to teach students how to make safe and healthy choices.
They want to help kids resist peer pressure and avoid drugs, alcohol, and violence.
The program is taught by trained police officers in schools.
These officers act as teachers and role models for the students.
D.A.R.E covers many important topics:
- Drug and alcohol use
- Bullying
- Internet safety
- Dealing with stress
The program aims to give kids the skills they need to stay safe and healthy as they grow up.
It’s not just about saying no to drugs – it’s about making good decisions in all areas of life.
Core Components of D.A.R.E.
D.A.R.E. focuses on teaching kids skills to avoid drugs and violence.
The program has key parts that work together to help students make good choices.
The D.A.R.E Curriculum
The D.A.R.E. core curriculum is taught to 5th and 6th graders.
It has 17 weekly lessons led by trained police officers.
These lessons cover topics like:
- Saying no to drugs and alcohol
- Dealing with peer pressure
- Making safe and responsible choices
The program also has parts for younger kids, teens, and parents.
This helps reinforce the lessons at different ages.
D.A.R.E. often updates its teaching materials.
They want to make sure the lessons work well for today’s kids.
Keepin’ It Real Program
“Keepin’ it REAL” is D.A.R.E.’s main teaching method.
REAL stands for:
- Refuse
- Explain
- Avoid
- Leave
This program teaches kids how to handle tricky situations.
It gives them ways to say no to drugs and stay safe.
Studies show that “Keepin’ it REAL” works well.
Kids who take part are less likely to use drugs.
They also learn skills that help them in other parts of life.
The program uses stories and activities that kids can relate to.
This makes the lessons more fun and easier to remember.
Role of Law Enforcement
Police officers play a key part in teaching kids about drugs and safety.
They work closely with schools to reach many students.
Police Officers as Educators
D.A.R.E. officers teach kids in classrooms while wearing their uniforms.
They don’t carry weapons at school.
These officers get special training to teach the D.A.R.E. lessons.
The police teach about making good choices and staying away from drugs.
They also cover topics like bullying and peer pressure.
Kids learn how to say no to bad influences.
Officers aim to build trust with students.
They want to be seen as helpers, not just law enforcers.
Collaboration with Schools
Schools and police work together to run the D.A.R.E. program. Officers become part of daily school life.
They visit classrooms regularly to teach lessons.
Principals and teachers help plan when officers will come.
They make sure D.A.R.E. fits into the school schedule.
Schools provide classroom space for the lessons.
This teamwork helps reach more kids with prevention education.
It also builds positive links between schools and local police departments.
Target Audience and Outreach
D.A.R.E. focuses on reaching young people and getting communities involved.
The program aims to teach kids about drug risks and build connections with local groups.
K-12 Students
D.A.R.E. targets students from kindergarten through high school.
The program reaches over 1.5 million students each year in schools across America and other countries.
Lessons are tailored to different age groups.
For younger kids, D.A.R.E. uses fun activities to teach about safety.
Older students learn about drug risks and how to resist peer pressure.
D.A.R.E. officers visit classrooms regularly.
They build trust with students and answer questions.
This helps kids feel comfortable talking about tough topics.
The program fits into school schedules.
It works with teachers to support existing health and safety lessons.
Community Engagement
D.A.R.E. goes beyond schools to involve the whole community.
Local police departments play a big role in running the program.
Officers get special training to teach D.A.R.E. classes.
This helps build positive relationships between police and young people.
Parents are encouraged to talk with their kids about what they learn.
D.A.R.E. gives families tips for having these conversations at home.
The program hosts events like fun runs and family nights.
These bring people together and spread D.A.R.E.’s message.
D.A.R.E. works with other local groups too.
This helps create a united front against drug use in the community.
Addressing Substance Use
The D.A.R.E. program teaches kids about different types of substances and their effects.
It aims to help young people make smart choices about drugs and alcohol.
Alcohol and Tobacco
D.A.R.E. talks a lot about alcohol and tobacco.
These are common substances that kids might see adults using.
The program explains how alcohol can change how people act and think.
It also shows the harm that drinking too much can cause.
For tobacco, D.A.R.E. focuses on cigarettes and vaping.
Kids learn about the chemicals in these products and how they hurt the body.
The program shares facts about lung damage and other health problems from smoking.
D.A.R.E. also teaches ways to say “no” if someone offers alcohol or tobacco.
Role-playing helps kids practice refusing these substances in real-life situations.
Marijuana and Illicit Drugs
D.A.R.E. covers marijuana and other illegal drugs in its lessons.
The program explains how these substances affect the brain and body.
Kids learn about the risks of trying drugs, even just once.
For marijuana, D.A.R.E. discusses both short-term and long-term effects.
It talks about how the drug can hurt memory and learning.
The program also covers the legal issues of using marijuana.
With illicit drugs, D.A.R.E. teaches about dangers like addiction and overdose.
It explains how these substances can ruin relationships and future plans.
The program gives kids tools to resist peer pressure and avoid drug use.
Teaching Decision-Making Skills
D.A.R.E. helps kids learn how to make good choices.
It teaches them skills to handle tough situations and boosts their confidence.
The Decision-Making Model
D.A.R.E. uses a special model to teach kids how to make smart decisions.
This model has easy steps for kids to follow.
It helps them think about their choices and what might happen.
The steps include:
• Define the problem
• Assess the choices
• Respond with a decision
• Evaluate the outcome
Kids practice using this model in class.
They talk about real-life situations they might face.
This helps them get ready for tricky choices in the future.
Empowering Students
D.A.R.E. wants kids to feel strong and sure of themselves.
It teaches them that they have the power to make good choices.
This helps build their self-esteem.
The program gives kids chances to:
• Speak up in class
• Role-play different scenarios
• Work in teams
These activities help kids feel more confident.
They learn that their choices matter.
D.A.R.E. also teaches kids how to say no to peer pressure.
This skill is super important as they grow up.
Evidence and Effectiveness
D.A.R.E. has changed over time based on research.
Studies have looked at how well it works to stop kids from using drugs.
The program has made changes to get better results.
Scientific Research
Studies on D.A.R.E. have had mixed results.
Early versions didn’t seem to help much.
But the program has improved.
D.A.R.E. now uses a curriculum called “keepin’ it REAL”.
This new approach is based on scientific evidence.
It teaches kids skills to make good choices.
The American Journal of Public Health has published research on D.A.R.E. Some studies show the new version works better than the old one.
Critiques and Improvements
Critics said the old D.A.R.E. program didn’t work well.
The U.S. General Accounting Office found it had little effect on drug use.
D.A.R.E. listened to these critiques.
They worked with experts to make big changes.
The new curriculum focuses on decision-making skills.
Recent studies show better results.
Kids who take the new D.A.R.E. classes are less likely to use drugs.
They also learn skills that help in other areas of life.
D.A.R.E. keeps working with researchers to improve.
They want to make sure the program really helps kids stay safe and healthy.
Beyond Drugs: Comprehensive Prevention
D.A.R.E. goes beyond just teaching about drugs.
It also helps kids stay safe from other dangers.
The program teaches important life skills that can protect young people.
Violence and Bullying
D.A.R.E. teaches violence prevention to keep kids safe.
Students learn how to handle conflicts without fighting.
They also practice ways to stand up to bullies safely.
The program shows kids how to get help if they see violence.
It teaches them to tell trusted adults about dangerous situations.
D.A.R.E. officers explain the harm that violence causes.
They also help students understand why it’s wrong to hurt others.
Kids learn better ways to deal with anger and frustration.
Peer Pressure and Gangs
D.A.R.E. gives kids tools to resist peer pressure.
It teaches them how to say “no” to bad choices.
Students also practice standing up for themselves through role-playing.
The program warns about the dangers of gangs.
It shows kids how gangs can hurt their future.
D.A.R.E. also offers positive alternatives to gang involvement.
Kids learn to choose good friends who support healthy choices.
They also discover fun activities that don’t involve drugs or crime.
D.A.R.E. helps students build confidence to avoid risky behaviors.
Funding and Support
D.A.R.E. gets money from different places to keep running its programs.
The U.S. government plays a big role in supporting D.A.R.E. through special agencies.
Bureau of Justice Assistance
The Bureau of Justice Assistance gives D.A.R.E. important funding.
This agency is part of the U.S. Department of Justice.
They help pay for:
- Training police officers to teach D.A.R.E. classes
- Making new lesson plans
- Checking if D.A.R.E. is working well
The Bureau thinks D.A.R.E. is a good way to stop drug use.
They like how it brings police and schools together to help kids.
Department of Education’s Role
The U.S. Department of Education also helps D.A.R.E. They believe teaching kids about drugs is key.
The Department:
- Gives money to schools that use D.A.R.E.
- Helps make sure D.A.R.E. fits with other school subjects
- Looks at how well D.A.R.E. works in different places
They want to make sure D.A.R.E. teaches kids in the best way possible.
The Department’s support helps D.A.R.E. reach more students across the country.
D.A.R.E.’s Global Reach
D.A.R.E. has grown from a local program in Los Angeles to a worldwide initiative.
It now touches the lives of students in many countries, adapting its message to fit different cultures.
International Programs
D.A.R.E. now reaches more than 1.5 million students annually in over 50 countries.
The program’s success in the United States has led to its adoption abroad.
Many countries have embraced D.A.R.E.’s approach to drug prevention education.
In these international settings, D.A.R.E. works with local law enforcement and schools.
They train officers to teach the curriculum, just like in the U.S. This helps create positive relationships between police and communities worldwide.
Some countries that have adopted D.A.R.E include:
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Brazil
- Mexico
Adapting to Different Cultures
D.A.R.E. knows that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work globally.
They adjust their programs to fit each country’s unique needs and culture.
This might mean changing examples in lessons or addressing specific drug issues in a region.
For instance, in some countries, they might focus more on alcohol or tobacco.
In others, they might address drugs that are more common locally.
D.A.R.E. also translates materials into local languages.
This ensures that students can fully understand and engage with the lessons.
By being flexible, D.A.R.E. aims to make its message relevant and effective for kids around the world.