D.A.R.E. is a prevention education program that provides a proactive approach to a global substance abuse problem. It is a cooperative effort between the community, the schools and the police.
History
The D.A.R.E. Program was developed in 1983 in Los Angeles, California as a cooperative effort between the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Unified School District. Since its inception, the D.A.R.E. Program, which is reviewed and updated on a regular basis, has expanded to over 50 countries around the world, including Canada
* Although the D.A.R.E. Program originated in the U.S., it has been adapted with Canadian content.
Why is it Important?
D.A.R.E. educates children at the crucial grade five/six level, which prepares them for entry into middle and high school, where they are most likely to encounter pressure to use drugs and negative choices.
The elementary curriculum helps children to increase their self-esteem and provides them with the knowledge and skills to help them refuse drugs and resist violence as well as teaching other valuable life skills.
D.A.R.E. curriculum has also been developed for students in middle and high school, and serves as a beneficial follow-up or reinforcement of skills learned in the core D.A.R.E. Program.
Education
The D.A.R.E. instructors are carefully selected and specially trained, uniformed law enforcement officers. The D.A.R.E. curriculum focuses on providing children with the following:
- Accurate information about the effects of drug use and drug abuse
- Skills for recognizing and resisting pressure to experiment with tobacco, alcohol and other drugs
- Enhanced self-esteem
- Positive alternatives to substance use and violent behaviour
- Decision-making skills that help them realize the consequences of the choices they make
- Ability to use non-violent ways to deal with anger and disappointment
- Improved interpersonal and communication skills
- D.A.R.E. encourages a positive and healthy lifestyle among youth
Parental Involvement
Parent involvement and reinforcement is crucial. You can help your children remain drug-free.
- Become informed about drugs (including alcohol & tobacco) and their effects.
- Make your position on drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, clear to your child; have frank, open discussions with him or her.
- Be the role model you would like your children to follow.
- Help your child find ways to have fun through positive activities such as sports, music, dance, and other creative projects.
- Show your child how to deal with day-to-day problems like stress, disappointment, and frustration.
- Be prepared that the behaviour you expect from your child may be different from what your child says is expected of his or her peers.
- Know your child’s friends and their parents.