D.A.R.E. - Drug Abuse Resistance Education

D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a collaborative effort by 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 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 engage in violence.

The DARE program offers preventative strategies to enhance those protective factors - especially bonding to the family, school and the community - which appear to foster the development of resiliency in young people who may be at risk for substance abuse or other problem behaviors. These strategies focus on the following areas:

• self esteem
• decision making
• stress management
• conflict resolution
• positive alternatives
• communication skills
• empathy
• sense of purpose

DARE offers a variety of interactive group participation, cooperative learning activities which are designed to encourage students to solve problems or major importance in their lives.

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) program is taught by the School Liaison Officer. The School Liaison Officer is a certified DARE Instructor who teaches 5th grade students life skills such as consequences, peer pressure, saying no to drugs and making decisions and forming positive support systems. The Champlin Police Department has one officer assigned to teach DARE for the students at Champlin Elementary.

For more information regarding this program, please contact the Champlin Police Department DARE Officer at 763-421-2971.