Mission Statement

D.A.R.E.'s primary mission is to provide children with the information and skills they need to live drug-and-violence-free lives. Additionally, it establishes positive relationships between students and law enforcement, teachers, parents, and other community leaders. Every youngster should have the opportunity to grow-up healthy, safe, secure, and equipped with the skills needed to succeed in life. Contemporary America, however, is rampant with challenges that could keep children from a positive life path.

The mission is to equip kids with the tools that will enable them to avoid negative influences and instead, allow them to focus on their strengths and potential. And, that's exactly what D.A.R.E. is designed to do.

D.A.R.E.
At-A-Glance


Description:
D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a collaborative program in which local law enforcement and local schools join together to educate students about the personal and social consequences of substance abuse and violence. The D.A.R.E. curricula is designed to be delivered sequentially from grades K-12. First developed in 1983, D.A.R.E. has undergone multiple revisions as research findings increased knowledge of effective substance abuse prevention among school-aged youth.

Founded: 1983

Mission:
To provide children with the information and skills they need to avoid tobacco and alcohol, to live drug-free and violence-free lives.

Outreach:
Millions of U.S. children in more than 300,000 classrooms in 10,000 communities in all 50 states will benefit from D.A.R.E. this year. D.A.R.E. also benefits millions of children in 53 other countries. Additionally, all Department of Defense Schools worldwide and all U.S. Territories have D.A.R.E. programs in place.

Curricula:
The NEW K-12 D.A.R.E. curricula lessons focus on:

· Strong “NO USE” message
· Immediate consequences
· Normative beliefs
· Consequential thinking (Problem solving and conflict management)
· Self-management skills
· Voluntary commitment
· Credible presenter
· Character Education· Protective factors-resiliency
· Interactive participatory learning
· Social resistance skills
· Violence prevention
· Alternatives
· Role-modeling
· Set curriculum and quality training


The D.A.R.E. sequential curricula is comprised of the following:
- Elementary curriculum
· Junior High/Middle School curriculum
· High School curriculum
· Parent Training

After School:
D.A.R.E. + P.L.U.S. (Play and Learn Under Supervision) is an on-campus program offering middle school students safe, enjoyable, educational after-school activities. D.A.R.E. + P.L.U.S. combines community volunteers with D.A.R.E. officers and school staff for the benefits of students on campus immediately after school.

Parent Training:
The D.A.R.E. Parent Training is being introduced in communities throughout the U.S. It is designed to help parents talk with their children and complement in-class D.A.R.E. programs for students in grades K- 12.

Officers:
More than 50,000 local law enforcement officers are certified to teach the D.A.R.E. program.

Funding:
D.A.R.E. is not a government program although it has enjoyed Administration support. Since its inception, funding for D.A.R.E. student educational materials and instructors training is provided by D.A.R.E. America, a non-profit organization. Less than one percent of D.A.R.E. America’s budget comes from federal sources.

Review:
D.A.R.E. is reviewed annually by the D.A.R.E. Scientific Advisory Board, the D.A.R.E. America Law Enforcement Advisory Board, D.A.R.E. officers, school and municipal administrators. Research findings and increased knowledge of effective anti-drug, anti-violence, and anti-substance abuse prevention is continually evaluated for incorporation into curricula.