DARE began in 1983 in Los Angeles. It's now used in 70 percent of
America's school districts as well as in other countries as well.
This year DARE will receive $750 million, mostly from federal, state and
local taxes. The "core" program for 5th or 6th graders involves one hour of
officer instruction per week for 17 weeks. Some do it in less. For example,
Officer Roger Wilson condenses his lessons into 15 weeks.
DARE teaches abstinence from alcohol, drugs and smoking. Kids learn how to
handle peer pressure, how to say no in tempting situations and how to avoid
violence.
Instructors use contests involving stickers and stuffed animals, such as
Darren the Lion, as teaching tools. Kids get homework assignments out of a
75page DARE workbook and must complete all assignments, plus write an
essay about what they learned to graduate. DARE graduations are school
assemblies usually held in the evening where students receive a
certificate. Kids do skits or sing songs for the audience of parents and
teachers.
A shorter program called "visitations" are offered in the younger grades.
Those focus on stranger danger and controlling anger: Some middle schools
(such as San Ramon) also sponsor DARE programs as do a small percentage of
high schools. DARE America's goal is to have the program in all middle
schools by the year 2000.
DARE is offered throughout Contra Costa and Alameda counties including
Brentwood, PleasantHill, Walnut Creek, Richmond, Hercules, Danville, San
Ramon, Alamo and Rodeo.