A simple acronym with a big message,
D.A.R.E. stands
for
Drug Abuse Resistance Education. It is a program
that teaches children not only to refuse illicit drugs, tobacco,
and alcohol, but also how to avoid gangs and violence. The program
stresses decision-making skills and resistance techniques through
inter-active participation.
D.A.R.E. was developed by the Los Angeles Police Department
in conjunction with the Los Angeles Unified School District
in 1983, and was the first pro-active law enforcement program
in the United States to attack the substance abuse problem
from a demand-reduction perspective.
The curriculum is organized into 45-minutes lessons presented
over seventeen weeks on topics such as:
- Consequences of Taking Illegal Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco
- Resistance Techniques - Peer Pressure and Media Pressure
- Assertiveness - Confident Response
- Resisting Gangs and Violence/Vandalism
- Positive Role Models - High School Students Who Have Made
Positive Choices In Their Lives
Since the Harris County Sheriff's Department implemented
its D.A.R.E. Program in 1989, over 80,955 fifth and sixth
grade students have completed the elementary level curriculum.
In addition, there have been over 296,945 students in Kindergarten
through Fourth Grades involved in weekly visitation lessons.
The Harris County Sheriff's Department D.A.R.E. Program primarily
targets the exiting level of elementary school, usually 5th
or 6th grade. These youngsters have not yet progressed from
the sheltered environment of elementary school to the social
climate of middle school in which students may be more susceptible,
for the first time to make choices or decisions about issues
that could affect their health and lives forever. In many
cases, it has been found to be the middle school level in
which young people are first likely to be led by their peers
to experiment with alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs. By
teaching D.A.R.E. in these grades, the children are more receptive
to prevention education.
School districts and private/parochial schools in unincorporated
Harris County are provided the D.A.R.E. Program through
inter-local agreements, and include the following:
Crosby ISD, Clear Creek ISD, Humble ISD, Klein ISD, North
Forest ISD, St. Edwards Catholic School, Salem Lutheran School,
and Waller ISD
Experts recognize that stemming the problem of substance
abuse and gang violence must be addressed by educating the
young people who are most susceptible. In 1999 the prestigious
Journal of School Health accepted for publication a major
new study by Professor Joseph F. Donnermeyer concerning the
effectiveness of the D.A.R.E. Program. This study conducted
by Ohio State University found that D.A.R.E. works…that
D.A.R.E. makes a positive difference in students' attitudes
and behavior in resisting substance abuse.
Evaluation reports on the D.A.R.E. Program indicated that
students derive the following immediate benefits:
- Increased self awareness
- Positive relationships with law enforcement
- Reduced peer pressure and balanced values for all types
of responsible behaviors
- Skills to resist using drugs
- Decreased in vandalism and gang activity
- Increased capacity to make decisions and solve problems
- Increased understanding of impact of harmful effects of
alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
- Increased understanding of mixed messages from the media
A pilot program in conjunction with the University of Akron
and Humble Independent School District was begun during
the 2000-2001 school year for the junior high/middle school.
Thus far, the curriculum has been presented to 2,144 students
at the 7th grade level. Additionally, this program incorporates
a five-year study in which the long-term effects of the
D.A.R.E. Program will be evaluated.
Beginning with the fall semester, 2003, Harris County Sheriff's
Department will, in conjunction with the University of Akron,
offer a seven-week core curriculum to 9th grade students.
This next step in the curriculum process will provide continuity
in the educational process allowing students to continue utilizing
the decision-making skills learned at the elementary level.
The 9th grade curriculum focuses on inter-active discussions
by the students to determine choices and consequences in light
of their unique environments and daily situations.
Over the years our D.A.R.E. Unit has received countless written
testimonials from D.A.R.E. students and parents relating situations
in which they were offered illicit drugs, alcohol, or tobacco,
and subsequently refused them utilizing resistance and assertiveness
skills taught by our deputies. One child even went so far
as to refuse medication during an emergency room visit until
he could speak with his D.A.R.E. deputy.
Many of our former elementary D.A.R.E. students now participate
in the program as high school role models. All have expressed
their gratitude for having been given the educational opportunity
through their school districts to be involved in D.A.R.E.
In addition to the D.A.R.E. Program, our deputies are actively
involved in Junior Achievement classes, the annual Red Ribbon
Boat Ride, National Night Out, Hispanic Forum, and Commissioner
El Franco Lee's Annual Street Olympics. The health and safety
of the children and youth of unincorporated Harris County
is a top priority for the Harris County Sheriff's Department.
