D.A.R.E. / D.A.R.E. Program

D.A.R.E. Program Overview

D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a series of classroom lessons that are led by trained Exeter Township police officers. The primary goal of the program is the prevention of substance abuse and violence among school children. Using the D.A.R.E. Decision Making Model, the lessons teach students to “Define, Assess, Respond, and Evaluate” a variety of situations. Students learn how to make healthy and wise decisions. They learn facts about tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol use; and their health effects. In addition, the program offers strategies that focus on bullying, self-esteem, communication, and peer pressure issues. The program requires that each student writes a “D.A.R.E. Essay.” The essay is to reflect a commitment to stay drug-free and violence-free. The essays are read by the instructing officer. The officer then chooses the best written essay from each classroom. The culminating activity of the D.A.R.E. program is a graduation ceremony. Families are welcome to attend. The authors of the winning essays read their essays, and every student receives a D.A.R.E. certificate.