D.A.R.E.
The D.A.R.E., Drug Abuse Resistance Education, program is a pioneer prevention effort founded by law enforcement in Los Angeles in 1983 and is an on going interactive decision making model to help students make the right choices. People would like to debate that DARE doesn't really work. According to statistics on www.DARE.com, it not only helps educate students about the harmful effects of drugs, it builds a rapport with officers and gives students confidence to make the right decision under peer pressured conditions. Part of the reason DARE works is because it is a collaborative effort between law enforcement, schools, parents and community leaders. DARE works because it surrounds children with support and encouragement from all sides. The fact is most students may not ever be exposed to illegal drugs. DARE is designed to not only educate students about the harmful effects of drugs, but also teach them of what tobacco and alcohol can do to their bodies. Cleveland Middle School has some of the finest students, however DARE is designed to reach that one child who may not have the confidence to say no when put in that one situation that could change his/her life forever.
