The Los Angeles Police Department and Public School System created D.A.R.E. in 1983.  It is currently in over 52% of the school systems in the United States, in all 50 states, and thirteen foreign countries.  Those teaching the program are police officers that have completed special training.

In Williamson County Illinois, all public education schools offer the D.A.R.E. program presented by officers from the Williamson County Sheriff's Department, and police departments in Herrin, Johnston City, Carterville, and Marion.

There are four major concepts to the D.A.R.E. program:

1. Provide accurate information on drugs and alcohol

2. Teach decision-making skills

3. Show students how to resist peer pressure

4. Give students ideas for alternatives to drug use

Each D.A.R.E. program includes 17 planned lessons, each builds on the skills learned in the previous lesson.  They include:

1. An Introduction to the DARE program

2. Understanding the Effects of Mind-Altering Drugs

3. Considering Consequences

4. Changing Beliefs about Drug Use

5. Learning Resistance Techniques (Ways to Say No)

6. Building Self-Esteem

7. Learning Assertiveness - A Response Style

8. Managing Stress Without Taking Drugs

9. Reducing Violence

10. Combating Media Influences on Drug Abuse/violence

11. Making Decisions About Risky Behaviors

12. Saying Yes to Positive Alternatives

13. Having Positive Role Models

14. Resisting Gang and Group Violence

15. Summarizing DARE Lessons

16. Taking a Stand

17. DARE Culmination (Graduation)

DARE will not insure that all students who complete the program will never use alcohol, drugs, or violence.  DARE is a small part of the overall training the child receives at home and in school.  DARE simply provides another role model for the young person, a Law Enforcement Officer who has experienced first hand the results of drugs and violence.  

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The above information was provided by the Williamson County Sheriff's Department