D.A.R.E. Defines Our Nation At Risk
The number of students abusing drugs and alcohol in the U.S. is at the highest level of any industrialized nation in the world. The rapid increase of students experimenting with drugs has begun to taper off, but the starting age gets younger and younger. For example, a poll by Weekly Reader Magazine shows a quarter of all fourth graders feel pressured to try alcohol or marijuana.

The lethal aim of drug dealers is to catch children at an early age and to influence them into developing drug habits. Once the children are addicted, dealers have deadly control over their lives. Adolescents may be susceptible to taking drugs or alcohol because their effect symbolizes a false value of independence, rebellion and adulthood. Thoughts of risking health and well being seem to be only of a minor importance.

D.A.R.E. aims at reducing these risks by providing children with the knowledge, positive attitudes and skills needed to make healthy decisions, especially those related to alcohol and drug use.

The D.A.R.E. Involvement
The D.A.R.E. program for schools includes 80 hours of police officer and teacher training and a semester-long - 17 week - curriculum complete with classroom teaching aids. The program also includes 6th grade pre-program testing. There are separate presentations for kindergarten through fifth grade students, and special workshops for parents and teachers.

Parental Involvement and Support
The key to the progarm's success is parental involvement. Evening workshops led by the officer teaching at the school are offered to parents. This provides parents with information about durgs and abuse, the D.A.R.E. program itself, and ways to reinforce the program's messages at home.

We Must Take Responsibility and Prevent the Problem
Drug Education is still seen as the key for reducing the demand for drugs. The D.A.R.E. program is designed to be introduced to youth before they are exposed to drugs. The primary focus of the program is directed toward 5th and 6th gradrs. There are also introductory presentations for kindergarten through 4th grades. This program is anticipated to expand into junior high and high schools as resources permit.

D.A.R.E. encourages students to have a more positive outlook toward law enforcement, school and home. With the help of D.A.R.E., children become more self confident and cooperate with family members and their peers. This positive attitude will spread to all segments of society and eventually help to decrease friction between ethnic groups.

Conclusion
Program evaluations have shown that D.A.R.E. works. The program teaches students how to say "NO" to drugs. D.A.R.E. also contributes to improved study habits and grades, decreased vandalism and gang activity, and a greater respect for police officers.

To find out more information about D.A.R.E. contact Wise Police Department.