Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.)

Email Us At DARE_HomeSchool@vbso.net

D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) has been an important part of the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office since 1993. D.A.R.E. is a collaborative effort by D.A.R.E certified law enforcement officers, educators, students, parents and the community to offer an educational program in the classroom to prevent or reduce drug abuse and violence among children and youth. The emphasis of D.A.R.E is to help students recognize and resist the many direct and subtle pressures that influence them to experiment with alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, inhalants, or other drugs or to engage in violence.

The D.A.R.E program offers preventive strategies to enhance those protective factors-especially bonding to the family, school and community-which appears to foster the development of resiliency in young people who may be at risk for substance abuse or other problem behaviors.

Currently, the D.A.R.E. program is a fixture in 67 public, private and parochial schools throughout the city. We graduate approximately 7,000 students a year who have successfully completed the program. A Master Deputy II and nine certified D.A.R.E. deputies instruct the curriculum, with numerous other deputies certified to fill in when needed.

D.A.R.E. is just one of several pro-active projects the Sheriff's Office participates in with the community. The D.A.R.E. pledge: "DARE to be yourself; DARE to be Drug and Violence Free!"

It's a sad fact that 70% - 90% of all crime in the U.S. is drug related, and the age of those involved in these crimes seems to be inching ever downward. D.A.R.E. has found a way to battle the problem before it starts. By giving young kids the tools to resist the peer pressure to try drugs and alcohol or participate in violence we can win the war before it's even fought.

The D.A.R.E. curriculum is taught by deputies within the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office. Chosen because of their real life experiences with drugs and violence, they have special commitment to help kids and serve as positive role models. They would much rather teach kids what's right than be reading them their rights.

For 16 weeks, the D.A.R.E. officer will spend time with children in the 5th and 6th grades, teaching them the tools to stay drug-free. Lessons that are taught are:

Different types of drugs, and what they do to the body
How and why to avoid violence
How to say no to drugs in an assertive way
How the media influences our decision
Consequences of using drugs
The risk involved in taking drugs
How to deal with stress
Finding other positive alternative activities
Peer pressure faced in high school
Youth gang involvement
Why high self-esteem is important
How to be a good positive role model

Where is the D.A.R.E. program taught?

D.A.R.E. is taught in these schools by the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office:

Is D.A.R.E. Working?

You bet it is; just ask a former D.A.R.E. student. National studies show that among D.A.R.E. graduates, 93% have never tried drugs, 70% have never tried alcohol and 75% have never tried a cigarette. Over 90% said D.A.R.E. has helped them avoid drugs and alcohol, increasing their self-confidence and ability to deal effectively with peer pressure.

How can you make a difference? The first step is by being a good role model to your kids. Although they don't act like it at times, they listen to what you say. So talk to them about drugs and violence, and more importantly, listen to them. You're the most important instructor they've got.

D.A.R.E. America website: www.dare.com