DESCRIPTION    
DARE (Drug Resistance Education), is a collaborative effort between law enforcement, school, parents, and community leaders. Its strength lies in the fact that it helps children learn and practice new skills that are supported by all facets of their community. The curricula are science – based and span K -12 grades with emphasis and reinforcement at the vital transition years. As a result of a major national research study, DARE is all new and gleams with the latest in prevention science and teaching techniques.

FOUNDED
1983 in Los Angeles, California

MISSION
DARE provides children an opportunity to learn and practice new skills for resisting alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

CURRICULA
D.A.R.E. is science-based and provides a set of spiraling skills that students practice in highly interactive lessons. Current K – 12 lessons focus on:

- Decision- Making skills
- Understanding of risks
- Accurate normative awareness
- Understanding of how substance affects the brain and body
- Communication skills
- Refusal skills
- High self-efficacy
- Media literacy

The D.A.R.E. sequential curriculum is comprised of the following:

- K-Grade 4 curriculum
- Grades 5/6 curriculum
- Junior High / Middle School curriculum
- High School curriculum
- DARE Plus (after school program)
- Parent training / Community Education training

PARENTS TRAINING
 The D.A.R.E. Parent Program is designed to stimulate and to motivate families to take a more active role in the prevention of substance abuse. It is comprised of a series of five interactive lessons, which provide parents with relevant information about drugs and adolescents.

OFFICERS
Since its inception, more than 50,000 local law enforcement officers have been certified to teach the D.A.R.E. program in the United States.

FUNDING
D.A.R.E. America is a 501(c) (3) non profit organization. D.A.R.E. is not a government program although it has enjoyed Federal and State funding support. Since its inception, D.A.R.E. America, a non-profit organization, provides funding for D.A.R.E. student educational materials and instructors training.

REVIEW 
The D.A.R.E. Scientific Advisory Board, the D.A.R.E. National Education Advisory Board, the D.A.R.E. America Executive Law Enforcement Advisory Board, Youth Advisory Board, D.A.R.E. officer, and school administrators review our program annually. Research findings and innovations in effective substance abuse prevention education are continually evaluated for incorporation into curricula.

WEBSITE
www.dare.com