D.A.R.E.
Drug Abuse Resistance Education
Drug Abuse Resistance Education
D.A.R.E. was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles, California and since has grown to all 50 states and over 50 other countries.
The primary goal of D.A.R.E is to teach children smart and effective was to resist peer pressure and say "no" to drugs. Another goal of the program is to build children's social skills, enhance self-esteem and teach life lessons personalized by the Law Enforcement officer's teaching them. D.A.R. E bridges the gap between teachers and Law Enforcement in the classroom setting providing a unique and effective way of teaching skills to the youth.
The Plymouth County D.A.R.E program consists of Remsen St. Mary's, MMCRU, Hinton, & Akron Westfield Schools. D.A.R.E officers receive 80 hours of instruction over the curriculum and once completed are certified Kindergarten through High School.
The D.A.R.E program teaches students:
- Dangers of tobacco use
- Dangers of Vaping
- Suicide prevention
- Dangers of alcohol use
- Dangers of opioids/prescription pills
- Resistance strategies to combat peer pressure
- How to say no to drugs and violence
- How to value others opinion's
- How social media/media can influence our decisions

Over 2,000 5th grade students have taken part in the D.A.R.E program in Plymouth County schools. Students who graduate the D.A.R.E program have the opportunity to take part in other activities such as, trips to Adventureland Amusement Park, Kings Point Water Park, Explorer baseball games, plus other activities at the schools.