D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. The 10-week program is taught by specially trained, uniformed law enforcement officers. Through D.A.R.E., fifth graders, their teachers and parents all learn to identify and resist the social pressures to use dangerous drugs and alcohol. The curriculum is well designed and expertly taught. D.A.R.E. is a step toward a generation of non-users. DARE is one of the most exciting, hopeful tools being used in Orange County to combat drugs and violence in our schools and communities.  Everybody involved supports D.A.R.E.

Principals, teachers, students, parents, officers -- all believe in it.

The rapport that develops between the S.R.O. Elementary Deputies and students and faculty is truly special. It is a key to D.A.R.E.'s effectiveness. Children learn from skilled, caring Deputy Sheriff’s in an atmosphere of trust and honesty. The program really works for the students, the faculty, and the community.

Students love D.A.R.E. They are mature enough to deal with the issue of making decisions about using alcohol and drugs and how to deal with peer-pressure.  The students are younger than the age at which statistics show most alcohol and drug experimentation begins, but D.A.R.E. may be our best opportunity to make a difference before-hand. 

The enthusiasm of students, parents, teachers and principals is equaled if not exceeded by that of the S.R.O. Elementary Deputies. They continue to display professionalism, and a commitment to D.A.R.E., and to the young people of our community.  As S.R.O. Elementary Deputies who instruct D.A.R.E., they realize they are role models for the students they teach and the faculty and parents they interact with daily.

D.A.R.E. was created in Los Angeles in 1983. Convinced that prevention is the only long-term answer to our alcohol and drug problem, the Los Angeles Police Department and Unified School District collaborated to develop this innovative program. D.A.R.E. uses the specially trained, uniformed law enforcement officers to teach pre-teens the skills necessary to resist drug experimentation. D.A.R.E. is currently taught in schools in fifty states.

The D.A.R.E. program is positive and substantive. It avoids scare tactics and relies on accurate information and a straightforward approach. The D.A.R.E. lessons focus on:

·  Providing accurate information about drugs, alcohol, violence and

    gangs

·  Teaching students decision-making skills

·  Showing students how to resist peer pressure

·  Suggesting healthy alternatives to drug use