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DRUG ABUSE RESISTANCE EDUCATION (D.A.R.E.) HALTON
www.darehalton.com
The D.A.R.E. ("Drug Abuse Resistance Education.“) program was originally developed by the Los Angeles Police Department in cooperation with the LA Unified School District in 1983. It was conceived on the premise that prevention was an effective long-term strategy to the cities growing drug problem among youth.
The D.A.R.E. curriculum is now taught worldwide in over 43 countries.
The D.A.R.E. curriculum was introduced into Halton Region schools in 1989.
The D.A.R.E. program is taught in Halton Region schools by seven specially trained police officers. In addition to the D.A.R.E. Program, these officers provide other educational programs to primary grades (K-8) and act as resource officers for school administration.
The D.A.R.E. Program in Halton Region is offered to all Grade 6 students in both the Public and Catholic schools – close to 7,000 students. Students spend approximately 7.5 hours in the program over the course of a semester. A graduation ceremony takes place at the end of the program.
D.A.R.E. is a unique partnership between schools, police, and parents.
The D.A.R.E. Program in Halton
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D.A.R.E. Worldwide Millions of kids worldwide benefit each year from
the D.A.R.E program in their community
The D.A.R.E. curriculum was developed by educators and is taught by specially trained police officers who act as facilitators, not lecturers
The program focus is on responsible decision making models & resisting peer pressure
Implementation of local D.A.R.E. programs is a community decision and is a strong example of a positive community based police program
D.A.R.E. is not just a drug education program; it is crime and violence prevention in our elementary schools
Training is mandatory for police instructors before they enter the classroom
The new science-based curriculum has been developed by top researchers and curriculum writers
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D.A.R.E. and Community PolicingThe Halton Regional Police Service Education Services Unit provides safety awareness and education programs to youth from Kindergarten to Grade 8 in both the Halton District Public and Halton District Catholic School Boards. In Halton the D.A.R.E. curriculum is taught by specially trained Community Resource Officers.
The benefits have having police resource officers in the classroom goes well beyond the ten week lesson plan. D.A.R.E. "humanizes" the police: young people can
begin to relate to officers as people
D.A.R.E. permits students to see officers in a helping role, not just an enforcement role
D.A.R.E. opens lines of communication between law enforcement and youth
D.A.R.E. Officers can serve as conduits to provide information beyond drug-related topics
D.A.R.E. opens dialogue between the school, police, and parents to deal with other issues
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Core MessageD - Define
A - Assess
R - Respond
E - Evaluate
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The D.A.R.E. curriculum challenges students by having them participate in active learning. The benefit to the students is the strong foundation of decision-making skills that they apply to real life situations about the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and inhalants. These important decision-making skills are acted on through group and paired activities. The students are actively engaged as they learn how to cope with the pressures associated with adolescence.
10 Lesson PlanThe new D.A.R.E. elementary curriculum has been shortened to nine lessons and a culmination. Topic areas are more specific to the needs of this age group, with an emphasis on student progression. While practical, the lessons are also fun. Students make the lessons come to life while practicing new skills.
Lesson #1: Overview of the D.A.R.E. ProgramLesson #2: Tobacco and YouLesson #3: Smoke ScreenLesson #4: Alcohol and YouLesson #5: The Real TruthLesson #6: Friendship FoundationsLesson #7: Putting it TogetherLesson #8: Personal ActionLesson #9: Practice! Practice! Practice!Lesson #10: Culmination
New science-based curriculum from top researchers and curriculum writers
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Graduation
At the completion of the 10 week in class program students are given the opportunity to make a public statement about their choices to resist drugs and violence. Top essays are chosen and presented in a group assembly where students receive D.A.R.E. graduation certificates and medallions to celebrate their accomplishments.
Parents are invited to attend the D.A.R.E. graduation ceremonies.
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“31% of Ontario Grade 7 students report using alcohol by Grade 6”Source: CAMH OSDUHS Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey. 2007.; Drug Use Among Ontario Students
In Ontario we have Government, educators, law enforcement, social agencies and parents all working together to bring these alarming statistics down. And strong community initiatives such as the D.A.R.E. program are helping to make a real difference.
In the 2009 study, this statistic showed marked improvement with 17% of Grade 7 students in Ontario who reporting alcohol use by Grade 6.
But is it enough?
Why Support D.A.R.E.?
“Alcohol and tobacco are the drugs most readily available to Ontario students, and smoking is the primary cause of preventable illnesses, disabilities, and premature deaths in Canada. The learning expectations related to substance use and abuse respond to these facts by focusing on an understanding of the effects of drugs – prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, illicit drugs, tobacco, and alcohol – and the consequences of their use. This knowledge is integrated with the development of a variety of living skills that help students make and maintain healthy choices.”
The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1-8Health and Physical Education - Interim Edition - 2010 http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/healthcurr18.pdf
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Past Year Drug Use (%)
Source: CAMH OSDUHS Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey. 2009.; Drug Use Among Ontario Students
Why Support D.A.R.E.?No. We do not think so.
Gr7 Gr8 Gr8 Gr10 Gr11 Gr12Alcohol 22.7 36.5 51.6 64.5 74.3 82.6Cannabis 1.1 6.4 18.4 30.7 38.6 45.6Cigarettes 1.0 3.8 7.5 14.8 17.9 19.8
Why Support D.A.R.E.?
Kids are our future.
We live in one of the safest communities in Canada because of strong community initiatives like the D.A.R.E program. D.A.R.E. is an important part of the Halton community and provides the opportunity for trained police officers to work closely with educators in support of safe schools and healthy students.
The D.A.R.E. program is more than just drug prevention education; it teaches students good decision making skills to help them avoid high-risk behavior to ensure they grow up healthy, safe and secure.
Works.
Because
it
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Why Support D.A.R.E.?
In the D.A.R.E. National Client Survey conduite by the RCMP in 2007 a total of 3,050 parents were survenez.
88% said their child spoke at home about how they will make future decisions about drugs.
96% agreed their child spoke at home as a result of the D.A.R.E. Program’s influence.
96% agreed that the D.A.R.E. Program had a positive impact on their child.
Works.
Because
it
Visit our website at www.darehalton.com for
full survey results.
Why Support D.A.R.E.?
A total of 279 teachers completed the teacher survey.
96% believe the D.A.R.E. Program material had a positive effect on their students.
96% agreed the D.A.R.E. Program was presented to their students at an age-appropriate level.
98% agreed the D.A.R.E. Officer developed a positive rapport with their students.
80% agreed they could see a difference in attitudes towards drugs and drug abuse in students who took the D.A.R.E. Program.
Works.
Because
it
Visit our website at www.darehalton.com for
full survey results.
Why Support D.A.R.E.?
“My officer spent time at recess to get to know the children in the school. The relationship established with a law enforcement officer is priceless. She also drops in periodically to say ‘hi’ and reinforces the bond with all the children in the school. I believe that this positive relationship with law enforcement will also be a positive influence when the students are faced with tough decisions in the future.”
Works.
Because
it
Visit our website at www.darehalton.com for
full survey results.
Why Support D.A.R.E.?
A total of 200 principals completed the survey.
96% agreed that the teaching methods of D.A.R.E. were consistent with their own professional values and practices.
98% agreed that the D.A.R.E. Officer had a positive impact on their students.
96% agreed that having D.A.R.E. facilitated by a police officer makes it more effective.
99% agreed their school benefitted from the D.A.R.E. Officer’s presence in their school.
Works.
Because
it
www.darehalton.com
Visit our website at www.darehalton.com for
full survey results.
Why Support D.A.R.E.?
“I believe the D.A.R.E. Program has a profound impact on most students. I have heard senior-level students referback to their D.A.R.E. experiences, so I believe it has a lasting impact. It may not keep them from experimenting, but the knowledge base is essential.”
Works.
Because
it
www.darehalton.com
Visit our website at www.darehalton.com for
full survey results.
Partners in Education
For the past 22 years, D.A.R.E. Halton has encompassed a unique partnership between the Halton Region Police Service and the Halton District & Halton Catholic District School Boards.
The Halton Regional Police Service provide, train and fund the dedicated personnel required to execute the program.
Both the Halton District & Halton Catholic District School Boards recognize and support the program by incorporating the 10 week course into the grade six class curriculum.
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D.A.R.E. Funding
Funding for the in class Grade Six D.A.R.E. program is provided by the Halton Region Police Service. Seven full time specially trained School Resource Officers teach the program to close to 7,000 students in the Halton Public and Catholic District School Boards.
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D.A.R.E. Funding
Additional funding is required for the in class materials used by the D.A.R.E. Resource Officers. This funding is provided by the D.A.R.E. Halton Civilian Volunteer Board, which raises money locally to pay for workbooks, in class support materials, graduation supplies and parent/community resource materials. The D.A.R.E. Board in Halton is a registered non profit and all money raised by the volunteers goes directly to supporting the program.
The D.A.R.E. Board also works with corporate partners in Halton and the GTA to raise important funding for the program.
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Charitable Registration Number 89185 9860 RR
FUNDING HELP IS STILL NEEDEDRestrictions on School Fundraising Activity
Due to growing pressures to limit the number of fundraising events hosted by individual schools, D.A.R.E. is no longer able to hold fundraisers for the program in the schools. This has had a significant impact on the budgets available for the in-class program materials.
School Board Budgets Tightening
When available the School Boards have provided a portion of funding required for in-class materials. However, given the increase pressure on School Board budgets financial support has been severely limited and in some cases completely eliminated.
Economic Downturn
Although community corporate partners are still an important source of support and funding for the D.A.R.E. program, economic concerns have impacted on the amount contributed through this funding source.
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D.A.R.E. Funding
Parents are the primary educators of their children with respect to learning about values, appropriate behavior, and ethno cultural, spiritual, and personal beliefs and traditions, and they act as significant role models for their children. It is therefore important for schools and parents to work together to ensure that home and school provide a mutually supportive framework for young people’s education
The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1-8Health and Physical Education - Interim Edition - 2010 http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/healthcurr18.pdf
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It Takes a VillageEveryone involved recognizes that D.A.R.E works. From the officers, to the school administrators to the children themselves. But parent and community involvement are key. With your support, we can continue to develop and deliver a program to help kids make smart, healthy choices in life.
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How can you help?Give your time
The Halton Civilian Board is a volunteer organization, whose mandate is to assist in raising funds for the necessary in-class materials used by the program, as well as developing vehicles through which to communicate the importance of the program to parents and partners within the community. Volunteers to sit on the board are always needed. No special skills are required, just positive energy and commitment to our kids.
Donate Funds
The reality is that to continue to develop and deliver a program of this quality takes money. Any financial support, either as an individual, through corporate donations or through school parent councils are a vital component of our continued success. Our kids are worth it!
Spread the word
This is an important community initiative, so help spread the word – to your friends, family, school community or corporate group. Working together can change the future.
Contact Us
For Information on the DARE program please contact:
Sergeant Craig Platt
905-825-4747 ext. 4901
HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY
We are always looking for help with our various community activities. For information on becoming a volunteer and working as a “Friend of DARE” please contact :
Mike Gorman, Co-Chair DARE Board of Directors
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